Liberty Tax Stole Personal Information After Getting Tax Estimate Internet

On February 2nd 2010 I went to Liberty Tax Service located at 377 South Willow Street, Manchester NH 03103. I went to have an estimate done for my taxes for the year 2009 with a Mike, upon completing the estimate I choose to take my business elsewhere. I had no problems or concerns during my visit or the next day when I was speaking to Jose who claimed to be the manager. They were professional and provided me exactly what I wanted an estimate for my 2009 tax return.

On February 5, 2010 at approximately 2pm (EST) I received a text message from a number I did not know asking Hey is this genie? I replied who is this. The response I received was LOL my bad. Its shane. I work with u at liberty tax. I stole ur number from work. I hope u dont mind?

I am EXTREMELY concerned that Liberty Tax has my personal information accessible to anyone. I provided them with my address, personal cell phone number, my social security number and various other personal information required for filing taxes. Identify fraud is a serious concern with this matter as I gave them copies of my Social Security Card, License and other personal information.

I called and spoke with the owner/ manager (Jose) of store and he said he would investigate the incident and get back to me. Shortly after speaking with Jose I received a voicemail from the person who was texting me explaining this was a honest mistake. I called the headquarters and inquired about how I would put in a claim. If this incident is an honest mistake the issue of my personal information made available to anyone in the office is still very concerning. My question was how would he even get my phone number to even have the opportunity to make the mistake in the first place?

Headquarters seemed to be very supportive when taking my call and told me that they would be concerned that the issue would need to be investigated. The representative at headquarters told me his two main concerns were that:

1. In the text message the word Stole was used

2. My taxes were not even prepared at Liberty; I was just going in to get an estimate.

He informed me that my personal information should have not even been kept in any file with them. I was told that headquarters would get back in touch with me within 2-3 business days. It has been 9 business days since I have called headquarters and have not heard anything back.

I also placed a call to the Nashua, NH store to inquire anonymously about security procedures. I told them I was worried about Identity Fraud and what do they do it secure it if I had my taxes done with them. They said that security is their number one concern, all information is sent over an encrypted secure database. I then asked about hard copies and they stated that all hard copies are kept locked and the only person that would have access if the tax preparer (if something was to come back from the IRS and the manager). I also asked it these procedures were used just in Nashua, NH or they were nation wide policies. I was told they were nation wide.

I am extremely disappointed in the lack of security Liberty Tax used. There blatant disregard of the security of my identify is very frustrating. I was hoping that this would all be cleared up with head quarters but they have not responded which has forced me to report the company to both the BBB and Rip of Report. It is not my intention to hurt the company but to make other aware that they do not treat your personal information securely and it is available to whoever would like to steal it.