CALIFORNIA COMPUTER SERVERS STOLEN FROM SANTA CLARA COUNTY'S EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MercuryNews.com 12/21/2006 Stolen server holds 2,500 Social Security numbers:
Stolen server holds 2,500 Social Security numbers
By Truong Phuoc Khánh
Mercury News

A computer stolen from Santa Clara County's employment agency contained the Social Security numbers of 2,500 people who are being advised to take steps to protect themselves from identity theft.

The risk to clients is not believed to be high because the information was encrypted by passwords, according to a statement from the county. Only those who have used the PESCO software to assess their job skills are affected.

The theft was discovered last week and reported to police Friday.

Three computer servers were stolen from an unoccupied building undergoing construction. Because of electrical work, the power had been turned off and the alarm was not working. Two of the servers did not contain client information; the third server did. The information included names, Social Security numbers and job skill assessments, but not addresses or telephone numbers.

The county is notifying affected clients.