Yesterday, I received this letter via snail mail:

Dear Isaac . . .

[Bank name] takes very seriously its responsibility to handle consumer information with confidentiality and discretion at all times. Unfortunately, we recently discovered that computer tapes that contained your name, address and . . . credit card account number were mistakenly identified as trash and thrown out. . . .

With the assistance of federal law enforcement authorities, we have conducted a thorough and extensive investigation of this incident and a search for the tapes. Although we have been unable to locate the tapes, we believe they were compacted, destroyed and taken to a landfill where they were buried. We have no reason to believe that anyone accessed or used your personal information as a result of this issue. Our continuing review of your account has not revealed any suspicious activity connected to this incident. You can continue to use your account as you normally would.

So I’m going to cancel the card. I appreciate them informing me of this strange incident. However, their only reimbursement for throwing out computer tapes deemed “trash” is to give me access to one free comprehensive disclosure of all information in my credit file.

I can get this for free once a year anyway.

They also said that I can have an initial free 90-day fraud alert added to my personal file.

Most credit card companies offer this service and you can continue paying after the 90-day trial period is up.

Then the letter states that I should monitor my account statements carefully over the next 12-24 months as a result of their fouling up and tossing out important computer records.

At least they apologize for the inconvenience.

And I will apologize for cancelling their service. As soon as I find out where I put that card.

Man, when Burger King messes up my order, at least I get free french fries.