As Companies Close – What Happens to the Files – Yes that is your social security number sitting there

 As I was walking through a new office space that we are moving into I noticed one empty office was full of paper.  In briefly looking at it, I realized it was confidential client information from a law firm that closed its offices.  I told the broker they should box it up but she didn’t seem to see the issue.  As a lawyer, I can tell you that data is not no longer protected under the attorney client privilege.  How would you like to be their client right now?

Admittedly, it was a bit spooky because the person who left the client files didn’t bother to pick up his wedding photo.  That tells you how quickly businesses are shutting down and leaving.  So what happens to all the data?  I had a case where the bankruptcy court sold off the servers and if I hadn’t been there to address the issues these servers full of clients financial information would be out the door to who knows where – craigslist?

For those less honest, it would be easy start picking up this data and abusing it.  So, my advice?  As part of closing an office clean house.  Be extra careful if your data was in the hands of a company that has gone under.  Because it’s probably floating out there in paper and data form accessible to anyone who wants to take the time to – say pick it up from empty office (maybe grabbing an old wedding photo at the same time).