THANKS, L.A. WEIGHT LOSS! Identity Thieves Catch a Break

The tough economy has put a strain on all small business owners, identity thieves notwithstanding.

Luckily, they’ve caught two breaks this year. The first was when the 400+ Unit Pure Weight Loss (formerly LA Weight Loss) chain closed its doors in January. While Pure Weight Loss left thousands of customers and employees stranded without the services and products they paid for, and without the paychecks they were due, identity thieves were most appreciative of the chain’s thoughtfulness.

There were widespread reports of confidential member records, containing HIPAA protected medical records, personal data and financial information, either abandoned in or behind closed centers or tossed in dumpsters. Identity thieves probably though this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

It turns out there’s ANOTHER L.A. Weight Loss chain that loves identity thieves just as much. History seems to be repeating itself as L.A. Weight Loss centers are reportedly closing… and following in their predecessor’s crack security protocols.

According to Weight Loss watchdog site Dear Vahan (named affectionately for Pure’s CEO Vahan Karian, currently being sued by the PA Attorney General) in a post entitled LA Weight Loss Tosses Client Files in Dumpster, two recently closed L.A. Weight Loss franchises closed abruptly, leaving their members stranded without their prepaid services or their prepaid products.

They did, however, have the thoughtfulness to leave their confidential records for them… conveniently located in their unlocked dumpster.

On behalf of identity thieves everywhere: Thanks, L.A. Weight Loss!

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