A convenience store chain that serves travelers was accused last week of dumping customer records containing personal information.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott filed suit against Petroleum Wholsale, L.P., operator of the Sunmart Travel Centers & Convenience Stores, alleging violations of the state’s Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act.
According to the complaint, the records were dumped in a trash container outside the company’s former headquarters in Houston. They included sales receipts containing names, credit and debit card numbers with expiration dates.
Abbott’s office was alerted to the situation by a local TV news report, the complaint states. An investigator retrieved hundreds of documents from the dumpster, it continues.
The material included returned checks, and forms listing driver’s license and Social Security numbers, the complaint alleges. Also dumped were employee records and internal e-mails.
Abbott is seeking a permanent injunction against the Petroleum Wholesale and unspecified civil penalties. He also demands that the company be ordered to dispose of business records containing personal information and that it refrain from further violations.
Sunmart outlets sell gasoline and convenience store items in 10 states.
The case is on file with the District Court of Harris County, TX.
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