Crown Point, IN asked in Bankruptcy, Legal Malpractice, Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Indiana

Q: Found another person's sensitive info in documents scanned by bankruptcy attorney.

I recently discovered a document within my personal documents that were scanned by my bankruptcy attorney's office. The document contains another individual's personal information, including their birthdate and social security number. I haven't contacted the attorney's office yet, and I am concerned about the implications of having this document in my possession. I'm also worried about my privacy and how my documents are being handled. What steps should I take to address this situation?

2 Lawyer Answers

A: Return it to the attorneys office with your explanation as to how your received it and mention your concern about your privacy as well. Beyond that, you need do nothing else.

James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: It's understandable that you’re concerned about the sensitive information you’ve come across. The first thing you should do is contact the bankruptcy attorney’s office immediately. Inform them of the situation and ask how they plan to handle the document and ensure it’s properly disposed of or returned. Since the document contains personal information of another individual, it’s important that they take the necessary steps to prevent any potential misuse.

As for the document in your possession, do not share or distribute it. It’s best to secure it until the attorney’s office provides instructions on how to properly handle it. You may want to ask them how they manage documents like yours to ensure your own privacy is protected moving forward. If you feel uneasy about your privacy or the way your documents are being handled, it’s worth expressing your concerns to them.

In addition, you can check if your state has any privacy laws that require the attorney’s office to notify you in cases like this. If you remain concerned about the attorney’s office’s practices, consider seeking guidance on how to protect yourself further. But for now, notifying them is the most important step to take.

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