HOUSTON – It didn't take long to find valuable documents, such as Social Security cards, copies of driver's licenses, bank account numbers, checkbooks and medical records at an auto junkyard.
All of the items were tossed like trash inside vehicles that had been sold or totaled. The trash is a treasure for identity thieves.
Two hours and two separate auto junkyards brought enough information to potentially obtain the identities of seven different people, all who left their personal information behind after wrecking or selling their car.
Social Security numbers, copies of drivers licenses and hospital discharge paperwork contain plenty of personal information.
A found Social Security card and driver's license belong to a woman KPRC is only identifying as Keisha.
"Oh, my God. I thought I cleaned that out," Keisha said.
She said she sold the Chevy Malibu more than eight months ago. In her car, banking statements and account numbers detailing weeks of direct deposits and transfers were also found.
"I've been messed up with the IRS for real, for real. Oh, my God, I'm so happy that y'all found this," Keisha said.
Keisha isn't the only one who left critical information behind. A copy of one man's drivers license, prescription lists and information from pharmacies, including patient names, addresses and medical histories, were found.
Identity theft expert Kevin Johnson said finding something as simple as a college loan bill is like hitting a home run for identity thieves. It includes the student's name, address and account number, plus a bill for $6,700.
"I could pretend to be that debt collector and call him, and I can say, 'I'm from ACT. You received a bill from us. His account number is right here,' and I could say, 'We haven't heard back from you. You owe us almost $7,000, but if you pay it right now, we'll settle for $5,000. Do you have a credit card?' And now you lost the money," Johnson said.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, an identity theft occurs every two seconds somewhere in the country. Obtaining a government document, like a drivers license, is the most common goal for thieves.
A new study reveals the medical sector now has more identity theft than any industry. It's also the hardest identity theft to uncover, because patients rarely review their status until they get sick.
Identity theft experts said with the information Keisha left behind, someone could assume her identity in a matter of hours.
"We can become her, right now," Johnson said. "I can fill out requests for credit cards as her. I can put in a change of address form for her, so all of her mail can come to me, so she wouldn't even know that I was getting all her stuff. So yes, we could absolutely steal her identity."
Johnson said not to leave any personal information in your car. Now could be a good time to go through a glove compartment or trunk and remove anything that may compromise your identity. Registration and insurance information do not typically contain information that puts one at risk for identity theft.