WISCONSIN COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM COMPUTER STOREhttp://www.channel3000.com/news/10541104/detail.html

Computer Store Break-In Might Compromise Customers' Personal Data
All Customers Affected Have Been Contacted
POSTED: 5:57 pm CST December 14, 2006

MADISON, Wis. -- A break-in at a computer repair shop in Madison has some questioning if customers' personal information was compromised.

The co-owner of The Mac Shop on Odana Road estimated that between $15,000 and $20,000 in computer equipment was stolen.

Co-owner Jonathan Neese said the break-in happened before 5 a.m. Thursday. He said robbers got away with a laptop and two desktop computers on the showroom floor before moving to the repair shop.

In the repair shop, he said robbers stole several laptop computers and a hard drive that customers had brought in for repair.

Neese said he has notified all six of the customers affected.

"We have gotten in touch with the folks at Apple computers. We have alerted anyone we could about the serial numbers and information regarding those computers," Neese said.

If a computer is stolen, experts said there are steps people can take to protect any financial information stored on their computer.

People should first issue a fraud alert by contacting each of these free services -- Experian, Transunion or Equifax.

Experts said people should also contact their credit card company and bank and might need to close a compromised account.

Experts also recommended running a credit check three times a year to keep tabs on your accounts.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the overnight break-in at The Mac Store to call Crimestoppers at 608-255-6014.