HOUSTON -- The Texas Attorney General has charged Houston-based Petroleum Wholesale, L.P., which operates Sunsmart Convenience Stores, with exposing clients to ID theft.

It is alleged that the company exposed its customers to ID theft by dumping paperwork with sensitive information on it.

The documents included social security numbers, bank account numbers and credit or debit card information.

“This defendant is charged with failing to protect its customers’ sensitive information,” Attorney General Abbott said. “With more than 20,000 Texas victims each year, identity theft remains one of the nation’s fastest-growing crimes. The Office of the Attorney General will continue working to protect Texans from identity theft.”

The documents were reportedly dumped behind the company’s former Houston headquarters.

The company faces up to a $50,000 fine per violation.

In all, Petroleum Wholesale, L.P. operates 10 stores across the country.