Not only are we vulnerable to spam, phishing, hacking, dumpster diving, worms, rootkits, viruses, botnets, internal data thefts, and a host of other threats, but experts now warn of a new, unseen threat–copy machines. That’s right. The same copier that you’ve been using to duplicate your tax returns, expense claims, student records, health insurance forms, driver’s license, social security card, and passport could provide malicious individuals with a treasure trove of valuable, personal information. Why? Because many machines made in the past five years contain a hard drive. And, it’s highly unlikely that the data on this hard drive is ever erased.

Today’s digital office copiers serve as printers, copiers and fax machines, but what few people consider is that they all have hard drives, just like the computers sitting on the desks. That means every copied document is automatically being stored.

So the big question is, what happens to all those computers and copiers when a business closes its doors?

If the equipment is leased and a reasonably new model, it goes back to the wholesaler who will lease it to the next customer. It’s anyone’s guess whether the wholesaler will wipe the copier’s hard drive before leasing it out again.

But older leased copiers, and those left behind when a business goes belly up, will most likely end up at an auction somewhere. In fact, a lot of used or outdated office equipment ends up being sold overseas. So, when a business goes under or a lease ends, what gets left behind gets passed along: mortgage applications, employee information, tax records … .

Though most newer high-end copiers have security features such as encryption or overwriting capabilities, few people think to take advantage of it. Makes you wonder about every office you ever worked in and every business you’ve ever done business with, doesn’t it?

If you’re concerned about the security of your personal and financial information, visit LifeLock to learn more about the comprehensive, innovative identity theft protection services they provide to nearly 1.5 million members.