KENTUCKY COMPUTER STOLEN Laptop theft prompts NKU letter | Kentucky Enquirer | nky.com:

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Last Updated: 9:49 am | Saturday, August 15, 2009

Laptop theft prompts NKU letter

By Kevin Kelly • kkelly@nky.com • August 15, 2009

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS - A Northern Kentucky University employee's laptop computer - which contained personal information about some current and former students -- was stolen from a restricted area last month, university officials said.

NKU Police are investigating the theft.

"We have no reason to believe that any of that information has been or is being used," NKU spokesman Chris Cole said Saturday.

The computer was taken July 22, according to a letter from Sara Sidebottom, the university's vice president for legal affairs and general counsel. Cole said the personal information stored on the employee's computer included social security numbers of at least 200 current and former students.

"At some point prior to it being stolen, a backup had been done," he said. "Once the computer was reported missing we looked through the content of the backup and realized there were some Social Security Numbers in there. So we contacted everyone whose number was on the computer."

Sidebottom's letter affirms the university does not have any evidence of unauthorized use of the personal information and acknowledges the serious potential risks associated with identity theft.

Those who receive the letter should take steps to help ensure their privacy, including contacting the three credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

"Ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your file including a statement that creditors should get your permission before opening any new accounts in your name," the letter reads. "If it appears that there is identity theft resulting from this potential disclosure, the university will make arrangements to help correct the identity theft on a case-by-case basis."