DENVER -- Sensitive mortgage files with people's personal information were recently found in a Dumpster, easy pickings for would-be identity thieves. The files have been secured by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department.

Fraud expert Mason Finks said, "The district aAttorney's office got a tip about numerous mortgage files and two laptop computers in a Dumpster behind offices formerly used by Cove Creek Mortgage and Front Range Mortgage. The files and computers contained sensitive information on many former customers of Front Range Mortgage, including names and addresses, Social Security numbers and bank, credit card and investment account information. The sensitive information was abandoned by Front Range in January when the company was closed, and the files had been sitting in the Dumpster since Saturday, April 26."

When Finks was asked what affected consumers should do, he said, "The district attorney recommends that any former customers of Front Range or Cove Creek should place a fraud alert on their credit reports and monitor any bank, credit card or investment accounts that might have been included on a mortgage application with that firm."

Additional questions can be directed to the district attorney's Consumer Protection Line at 720-874-8547. If you'd like to learn more about how to place a fraud alert on your credit report, gp to the story listed below.