Ask Officer Michelle – Question #175
Posted by morganforms
I just got done working for a firm that conducts property management investigations on it’s property managers. I was told I would be doing these undercover. Then, after I’ve done about 10 of these assignments, I find out today that the company was revealing my identity to all the people I investigated in the reports I sent in. I was required to use my drivers license while on the tours for the apt. rentals, then when I wasn’t aware of it, the company was revealing that I was the investigator after each visit to each company. The targets now know my address, that I was the investigator, and saw my drivers license. They could have easily copied my drivers license when they knew I was the investigator, kept my address off the reports, and now I could be at risk. What’s the best way to handle this without going to extremes or causing worse problems? Should I file an anonymous police report or sue the company. I now may have to move. My whole life and situation has been put at risk and this company does not even seem to think it’s a problem. I asked them to retract my address and info off the reports and they wouldn’t. I tell them I’m concerned about this, and they say “Well, what do you think would happen? That someone would come to your house with a shotgun and kill you?” The woman said this sarcastically and didn’t even seem concerned about welfare at all. The whole time I thought I was undercover and they were actively revealing all my info, address, name, identity to all the targets. They said it was for training purposes for the targets so they would remember who they spoke with and what they did wrong or right. What about me? Oh my God! now, I’m completely upset. Please advise me of the best thing to do which is something that wouldn’t be a worse hardship. I really cannot afford to move or want to. I can’t let this companies mistake ruin my life and control me.
Dear morganforms,
I’m sorry you may have been put in a difficult situation without your knowledge. What you have described does not sound like a criminal offense that would involve the police. If there is an issue of misrepresentation on the part of the company you worked for, it could be a civil matter best handled by an attorney. You could also contact the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint about this company’s employment practices as well as inquire about any recourse you may have.
Good luck,
Officer Michelle
