Social Security Numbers, Tax Forms Dumped In Recycling Bin

FREMONT, CA — The personal information of hundreds of people who filed their taxes with a Fremont tax preparer ended up in an unlocked recycling dumpster last week. The discarded folders full of completed tax paperwork were found stacked to the top of the 2-yard sized recycling dumpster Nov. 28. A witness, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, took photos of the dumpster and the tax returns. The file folders are all labeled "dead files."

The tax paperwork, which was prepared by Certified Public Accountant Edward A. Robinson, showed client names, addresses, social security numbers and places of employment.

The witness said the dumpster remained unlocked for about a week and has since been emptied. It is located in the 4400 block of S. Grimmer Blvd. in a driveway accessible to the public from the street and shared by several businesses in the building.

Patch reached out to Robinson by phone and email and has not heard back. Robinson has been in practice since 1980 and has been an accountant in California since 1976, according to his website. Robinson reportedly told NBC Bay Area News he did not know the tax documents should be shredded. He went on to apologize for the confusion, locking the dumpster and promising to pay to shred the documents.

Officials with the California Franchise Tax Board said they are stunned at the discovery. While dumping the files is not illegal, it is considered unethical among those who deal with sensitive taxpayer data, according to FTB officials.

The Safeguarding Taxpayer Data Guidelines provided by to preparers in IRS Publication 4557 recommends preparers shred or burn documents before discarding them. The FTC Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information Rule, which applies to CPAs, requires tax preparers to protect customer records.

Photos contributed