A weekend break-in at the University of Victoria resulted in the theft of personal information — including bank account numbers — for more than 11,000 current and former employees at the university.
Electronic equipment and a safe were taken during the break-in at a campus office on Saturday night, said Gayle Gorrill, the university's vice-president of finance and operations.
What's more disturbing, Gorrill said, is the theft of sensitive personal data belonging to current and former employees and contractors.
The personal data for employees and contractors who have worked at the University of Victoria since January 2011 is potentially compromised.The personal data for employees and contractors who have worked at the University of Victoria since January 2011 is potentially compromised. (CBC)
"It included … bank account information needed for direct deposits, social insurance numbers and payroll information," Gorrill told CBC News late Monday.
Gorrill said the university is trying to contact everyone who worked for UVic since January 2010. It's also posted advice on its website and set up an information line.
Saanich police Sgt. Dean Jantzen said a forensics team spent Sunday at the UVic office, trying to collect fingerprints and other clues.
"There's no lucky break, like videos of the culprit or anything like that," Jantzen said.
The university said it plans an internal review of its security and privacy policies.

Corrections and Clarifications

  • An earlier version of this story said the theft included information about those working at the school since January 2011, but on Tuesday UVic officials said the theft included data dating back to January 2010.Jan. 10, 2012| 8:02 a.m. PT