An unnamed company in Douglas has had a slap on the wrist from the Office of the Data Protection Supervisor after it left copies of passports and bank statements in a skip.
The incident happened on Wednesday when a member of the public made the discovery in a skip on Belmont Terrace in Douglas.
Investigators found the skip contained hundreds of detailed files of client information – including photocopies of sensitive documents.
According to the ODPS, the files were covered in frost and had been left in the skip overnight.
A sample file contained Know Your Customer documentation, including photocopies of a client’s passport and bank statements.
The Data Protection Supervisor contacted the company, which removed the files and had them securely destroyed that afternoon.
The supervisor, Iaian McDonald, says although he’s pleased the firm took prompt action, he’s concerned such information would be left lying around overnight in clear contravention of data protection principles.
He’s reminding all companies about their duties and encouraging the public to report any such breaches in future.
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