State sues Payday Loan Store for dumping sensitive customer data in trash

Sensitive and personal information of Payday Loan Store's customers ended up in the trash despite a company policy that promises to protect such data, according to a lawsuit filed by Illinois' attorney general.

The company, which sells high-interest, short-term loans, allegedly dumped the documents containing the information into trash bins outside four of its locations in the Chicago area, where Payday Loan Store is based.

"Data security is absolutely critical to protecting consumers from identity theft," Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in a statement. "Businesses that collect, use and ultimately dispose of sensitive personal information must live up to their promises to protect that information from unauthorized access in order to protect the financial privacy of consumers."

The lawsuit came about after someone told police in April that he had found some documents in a trash container outside one of Payday Loan Store's locations. Police dug up two to three boxes containing customer files.