OKLAHOMA COMPUTER THEFT ChannelOklahoma.com - News - Choctaw Computer Theft Puts Personal Data At Risk: "Choctaw Computer Theft Puts Personal Data At Risk
Storm Assistance Center Loses Computer, Cash In Burglary
POSTED: 9:17 pm CDT April 29, 2004
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Workers from the Choctaw Compassion Resource Center told 5 On Your Side Thursday that thieves stole their computer ?- and the personal information of hundreds of people could be at risk.
Many people have applied for assistance at the center after devastating storms roared through the Choctaw area over the last five years.
'There are people (who) are desperate, and a lot of those people who are desperate come to this center,' said official Judy Boggs.
But Boggs said the Choctaw Compassion Resource Center is now also a victim.
Thieves broke into the center early Thursday morning. They left many clothing items kept by the center untouched, opting instead for a computer and cash.
'Our budget's only $1,200 a month, and when you lose a computer -- and you lose possibly $200 worth of donations -- that's a huge amount,' Boggs said.
The missing computer is the most devastating part of the break-in, according to Boggs. The machine was loaded with lists of people who the center has helped, as well as their addresses, phone numbers and social security information.
Officials said they are scared that someone might be able to use the stolen information to do more damage.
Now, Boggs said, the center hopes others will show compassion by helping them recover the machine.
'If anybody knows about it, they would show us compassion by letting us know so that we can get our computer back ... and we might be able to retrieve some of those funds,' she said.
The resource center saved up for two years to buy the computer. Officials said they could use a new computer, a"