MICHIGAN COMPUTER THEFT AT SCHOOLSWXMI.com | FOX 17 | Grand Rapids | Stolen Computers Could Be Identity TheftStolen Computers Could Be Identity Theft


November 20, 2004

GRAND RAPIDS -- Three laptop computers were stolen Wednesday night from Grand Rapids Community College. The school says sensitive information about students and staff may be at risk.

The college is trying to warn more than 14,000 people who are affiliated with the school to be on their guard.

The computers were taken from the financial services department. Campus police say they could contain student social security numbers and employee bank account information, which could be used for identity theft.

Police couldn't give too many details, just that they wanted to be pro-active, warning students and staff. They don't know if someone took the computers for identity theft or to just sell the hardware.

Tom Jensen installs software security systems and says it would take someone with extensive computer experience to get past the program's passwords.

"They have to know exactly what they're after, they have to know the programs that they use, that kind of stuff," said Jensen. "Just getting into it, I could probably do that, but past that I don't know what they use or what they would do."

In the meantime, campus police say students and staff should keep an eye on their bank accounts. The school set up a hotline with info. The number is 234-3185.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Silent Observer.