NEW MEXICO COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/PERA-warns-members-of-possible-data-breach
PERA warns members of possible data breach
Trip Jennings | The New Mexican
Posted: Friday, June 15, 2012 - 6/16/12
Posted: Friday, June 15, 2012 - 6/16/12
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New Mexico's public pension agency spent most of Friday notifying about 100,000 active and retired government workers to guard against possible fraud following the theft of a computer that might have contained their personal information.
The Public Employees Retirement Association announced the theft late Friday afternoon. Several state officials, including Gov. Susana Martinez, Attorney General Gary King and State Auditor Hector Balderas, were also alerted as was local law enforcement, the news release said.
While it was unclear whether the personal information had been hacked for possible criminal use, the agency encouraged all members to protect themselves by placing a free fraud alert on their bank accounts.
"We don't fool around when it comes to members' personal information. We are taking an abundance of caution," PERA executive director Wayne Propst said in a telephone interview. "We are fairly confident that there was some personal information on the computer."
The information on the computer could have included names, addresses, financial institution routing numbers, account types, account numbers, payment amounts and PERA identification numbers, the agency's announcement said.
The computer was password protected, however, and there was no indication that the computer was stolen for the information it contained, the statement said.
It was unclear when the computer was stolen, Propst said. But the agency first learned of the theft Thursday when Atkinson & Company, LLP, Consultants and Certified Public Accountants, notified the agency that a computer in the possession of an employee had been stolen. The firm was hired to perform PERA's annual audit, the release said.
In the aftermath of the theft, the agency said it has launched an investigation to ensure that all third-party vendors maintain appropriate security measures to prevent incidents of this kind from occurring in the future, the release said.
PERA plans to provide a toll-free number for concerned members, although as of Friday afternoon it had not been set up.
Until it is set up, people also can call the agency's toll-free number -- 1-800-342-3422, Propst said.
PERA serves 30,000 public retirees and 50,000 active public workers who are employed in New Mexico state government, city and county governments as well as local public bodies such as water districts, Propst said.
The agency is notifying 100,000 individuals because the computer might have contained information about not only PERA members but also about their spouses and children as well as about individuals who were once members but no longer are, Propst said.
For individuals who are interested in placing a fraud alert on their accounts, instructions will be provided in the member notification letter, or individuals can visit the PERA website athttp://www.pera.state.nm.us/, according to the release.
PERA will provide updated information for members on its website as soon as it becomes available, the agency said.
Contact Trip Jennings at 986-3050 or at tjennings@sfnewmexican.com.
The Public Employees Retirement Association announced the theft late Friday afternoon. Several state officials, including Gov. Susana Martinez, Attorney General Gary King and State Auditor Hector Balderas, were also alerted as was local law enforcement, the news release said.
While it was unclear whether the personal information had been hacked for possible criminal use, the agency encouraged all members to protect themselves by placing a free fraud alert on their bank accounts.
"We don't fool around when it comes to members' personal information. We are taking an abundance of caution," PERA executive director Wayne Propst said in a telephone interview. "We are fairly confident that there was some personal information on the computer."
The information on the computer could have included names, addresses, financial institution routing numbers, account types, account numbers, payment amounts and PERA identification numbers, the agency's announcement said.
The computer was password protected, however, and there was no indication that the computer was stolen for the information it contained, the statement said.
It was unclear when the computer was stolen, Propst said. But the agency first learned of the theft Thursday when Atkinson & Company, LLP, Consultants and Certified Public Accountants, notified the agency that a computer in the possession of an employee had been stolen. The firm was hired to perform PERA's annual audit, the release said.
In the aftermath of the theft, the agency said it has launched an investigation to ensure that all third-party vendors maintain appropriate security measures to prevent incidents of this kind from occurring in the future, the release said.
PERA plans to provide a toll-free number for concerned members, although as of Friday afternoon it had not been set up.
Until it is set up, people also can call the agency's toll-free number -- 1-800-342-3422, Propst said.
PERA serves 30,000 public retirees and 50,000 active public workers who are employed in New Mexico state government, city and county governments as well as local public bodies such as water districts, Propst said.
The agency is notifying 100,000 individuals because the computer might have contained information about not only PERA members but also about their spouses and children as well as about individuals who were once members but no longer are, Propst said.
For individuals who are interested in placing a fraud alert on their accounts, instructions will be provided in the member notification letter, or individuals can visit the PERA website athttp://www.pera.state.nm.us/, according to the release.
PERA will provide updated information for members on its website as soon as it becomes available, the agency said.
Contact Trip Jennings at 986-3050 or at tjennings@sfnewmexican.com.
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