Deleting Your Data

December 21, 2006 (WLS) -- It's not hard to find an organization that wants old cell phones. In fact, cell phone recycling is now a multi - billion dollar industry. But you may be surprised what most people leave behind when they give their phones away.

ABC 7 dug through dozens of cell phones which were given to charity or recycling programs. Many of them still had personal pictures, text messages, phone numbers and other private information. Technical experts also say it's possible to leave information behind even when you think you're deleting your data.

Whether it's a cowboy campaign on the streets of Chicago, or inside an electronics recycling center, it seems like everyone wants your old cell phone or PDA.

"There's money to be made and certainly a huge appetite internationally for the latest technology at a lesser price," said Cathy Hill, HOBI International.

The average American trades in cell phones every year and a half and that every year 100 million phones come out of service. But have you thought about the information you may be giving away?

"If someone gets my friends phone number and keeps calling him and bugging him that's a concern," said Madhay Shah.

"People can get so much information based on the numbers you have in there and personal information," said Kelly Bergren.

ABC 7 went through dozens of phones that people turned into different organizations. We found pictures of people's kids, home numbers, "mom's" number, personal text messages, voice recorded notes and even the actual "cell phone number" which most people keep and transfer to their new phone. That's how we tracked down Emily Cortez.

"The minute I got the phone call I thought, 'Oh shoot,'" said Cortez.

Cortez dropped her phone into a recycling box in a store--- but left behind all of her personal information.

Someone could have easily grabbed my phone from in there too," said Cortez. "It's just a box on the floor. "

The major recycling programs-- like HOBI International In Batavia -- say it's in their best interest to not only delete the data from the phone's hard drive, but to also shred "SIM" cards that hold additional information. As you can see, most people also leave those behind.

"Now we are seeing the same type of information on phones that I you would see on a personal computer," said Craig Boswell, HOBI International.

Re-Cellular near Detroit, which claims to be the largest phone recycling company in America, also makes a pledge to wipe out your information. Experts suggest you still do it yourself because you don't know who may have access to your phone before or during the process. There's also some question as to what can be traced with extremely high tech equipment, even after you delete information.

"Once you get rid of the directory it doesn't mean that the information is gone from flash drive so it is theoretically possible for someone to access flash memory and read the bits still stored," said Wai Gen Yee, asst. professor Computer Science IIT.

ABC7 also found phones where the majority of the information was deleted, except for the number that belongs to the phone. To make sure your phone is completely wiped clean you need to check your phone's manual and learn how to reset it to "manufacturer settings."

"Cell phone manufacturers are becoming more aware of security issues and they are building software that will allow total wiping out of personal data," said Yee.

Some people like Andrew Fuller are taking their privacy one step further.

"I just keep them. I keep my cell phones there is a lot of information on there that if I turn it in I don't know what they are going to do with it," said Andrew Fuller.

Whatever you do don't throw out your phone or PDA, experts warn that the parts and metals can be harmful to the environment. Most recycling companies either re-sell the phones or use the parts to make new phones and other metal and plastic materials.

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