HELP!!!!! how do i reomove 'write protected' message from my 16gb flash drive?

One problem with returning the drive (San Disk 256 GB Cruzer)- it has sensitive information. Is there a work around without returning the device? I purchased this at Costco within the last month (or thereabouts); I think I have the receipt. Without the receipt, I guess this is a no-go from the start, correct?

For the record, the first one ( a few more months back) has not had this issue.

Device details: SanDisk Cruzer Glide 3.0 1.00 [250.45 GB] (489160704 512-byte sectors)

thanks,