One of Australia’s largest banks has apologized after confidential personal information belonging to its customers was found in a Perth suburb.
The data breach includes names, addresses and even account numbers, with legal experts warning that the financial institution could be fined millions of dollars.
The documents were found dumped in dumpsters in Armadale.Credit:Nine News Perth
Scott Collins was passing the Armadale Shopping Centre, in the eastern suburbs of Perth, when he saw the confidential ANZ documents in a bin.
Dozens of pages were in the trash, lying on the road and even floating across the street in the wind.
They contain a wealth of personal information, including transaction information, private emails, and even internal banking procedures.
“If that was my information or my family’s information, I would be so angry,” Collins said Nine News Perth.
The documents came from the recently closed ANZ branch on Jull Street in Armadale’s CBD.
Digital law expert Natasha Blycha said the incident was a serious data breach.
“Of course, if someone is able to collect enough personal information about you, they can recreate your identity,” she said.
