U.S. Foodservice laptop stolen; contained employee and applicant info
July 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
U.S. Foodservice, Inc. (”USF”) reported the theft of a laptop containing names, Social Security numbers, home addresses, and/or dates of birth of some present and former USF employees, and in a few instances, their dependents and applicants for jobs at USF.
Although USF reportedly stopped using Social Security numbers as part of its internal reports several years ago, the stolen laptop contained old data files. In a letter to those affected dated June 13, Dave Esler, Chief Human Resources Officer, wrote, “Pursuant to USF policies, the laptop was protected by a unique user I.D and password, but the individual files containing personal information were not encrypted or password protected.” The company is reviewing its policies and procedures to see if changes need to be made.
USF has set up a toll-free helpline staffed 7 days a week and offered those affected free credit monitoring for 1 year via Triple Advantage, which also provides identity theft insurance (unless you happen to be a resident of New York State).
USF’s notification and disclosure letters did not indicate where or how the laptop was stolen, nor the total number of individuals affected. The company’s web site indicates that is has 27,000 employees nationwide, but it is not clear whether all current employees had data on the stolen laptop, nor how many former employees, applicants or dependents had data on the laptop.
Source: PogoWasRight.org
Privacy news, data breaches, and privacy-related events and resources from around the world.
Thousands of soldiers at risk for ID theft
July 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
FORT LEWIS, Wash. – Thousands of Fort Lewis soldiers may be at risk for identity theft after a laptop computer with their personal information was stolen. The Army has launched an investigation. Just back from Iraq, Stryker Brigade soldiers probably thought they could let their guard down, but now they face a big security headache.
The 4,000 troops of the 4th Brigade 2nd Infantry Division just returned from a 14-month-long deployment in Iraq and they celebrated a long-awaited homecoming. But just a week after the celebration, a laptop was stolen – possibly on the Fourth of July – that contained brigade members’ social security numbers and other personal information.
“Where was that laptop?… Why was it able to be stolen?” questioned Kristen Manning.
Fort Lewis issued the following statement:
The Army takes security of personal information extremely seriously. We will investigate the incident (and) learn from it to better protect our soldiers and families.
So, as Stryker soldiers enjoy their 30-day leave, they are also being told to keep an eye on credit reports.
“Back-to-back deployments being gone a lot of the time, you can’t do much about it half way around the world,” said veteran David Bell.
It’s unclear at this point exactly how many soldiers are affected by this theft and Fort Lewis isn’t saying where or how the laptop was stolen.
Source:
KING Channel 5 News
Laptop stolen from the home of a BearingPoint employee
June 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
On May 14, 2008 a BearingPoint company-issued laptop was stolen from the residence of an employee. The laptop contained sensitive personal information belonging to a number of BearingPoint independent contractors.. More>
Source: The Breach Blog
http://breachblog.com/2008/06/19/bearingpoint.aspx
Laptop bought on eBay contained “highly confidential” Home Office disk
February 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
A laptop reportedly purchased through eBay contained a CD marked “Home Office - highly confidential”* under the keyboard and above the circuit board. The purchaser brought the computer to Leapfrog Computers in Westhoughton (UK) for repair where the technician discovered the encrypted compact disc.
Source: The Breach Blog
*”The Home Office is the government department responsible for leading the national effort to protect the public from terrorism, crime and anti-social behaviour.” - Source Home Office About Us page
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/
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Leapfrog Discovers Home Office Laptop
27 Feb 2008
Counter terrorism police are investigating the discovery of a Home Office laptop and encrypted data disc found by Leapfrog - apparently bought on eBay.
Sky News Home Affairs correspondent Mark White said: “The Home Office has confirmed to me that it is investigating the recovery of a confidential data disc. On Tuesday afternoon a man took a laptop into a computer shop in the Manchester area to try to get it repaired and they found an encrypted disc.”
Leapfrog’s Managing Director, Lee Bevan told Sky News: “This seemed just another IT repair. The customer said he had bought it on eBay and seemed quite innocent. It is just an ordinary laptop. It was only when we opened up the keyboard that we found the disc - it had the words Home Office and Confidential written all over it. We put it in the safe and contacted the police in London. They have been here most of the day examining the items and speaking to staff.”
In a statement, the Home Office said: “We can confirm that encrypted IT equipment has been handed in to Greater Manchester Police. Both the laptop and disc were encrypted, thus safeguarding the information stored on them. An investigation is now underway and it would be inappropriate to comment any further.”
