Identity Theft Risk at MATC

August 05, 2005

Personal Information for hundreds of old Madison Area Technical College (MATC) applicants was found in a trash compactor near the school. The applications had full names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, birth date, cancelled checks and even school transcripts. The trash compactor was not locked or activated and in an area with an open gate. 

MATC says it has now taken steps to prevent similar problems, such as locking the compactor and activating it as soon as trash was placed inside it.

Wisconsin has a ‘Dumpster Diving Law’ that requires tax preparation, financial, and medical institutions to shred personal and sensitive documents. However, this law does not apply to educational institutions, like MATC.

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