Stolen laptop causes concern for UND Alumni Association
84,000 alumni affected by recent theft, leaving many concerned about security.
Staff Report
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: News
A little over a week ago, the UND Alumni Association and UND Foundation were notified that a laptop computer belonging to their primary software vendor was stolen from a vehicle.
The laptop contained personal information from over 84,000 UND alumni, donors and others and it is yet to be recovered.
However, information including individuals' credit card and Social Security numbers were protected by a data encryption system along with other security controls and there is no evidence suggesting that the information on the computer has been used in any way, according to the UND Alumni Association.
Notification letters are being sent to all effected individuals on the database for whom there is contact information and at the urging of the UND Alumni Association and UND Foundation, the software vendor has offered a free online credit monitoring service.
Alumni were mainly affected by this breech of security, but several unaffiliated donors and individuals that have attended alumni events were sent letters as well.
Affected individuals will be offered the TrueCredit Online Credit Monitoring service that includes unlimited access to their TransUnion credit report, credit score and analysis, daily TransUnion credit monitoring, and other additional services according to the association. Individuals will have until Jan. 31, 2009, to activate this service by using their assigned activation code delivered by mail to their homes.
The UND Alumni Association and UND Foundation are unable to release the name of the software vendor or where the theft occurred, except to state it was out of the immediate region and state, due to continued security precautions.
If any affected individuals notice unauthorized activity, they are encouraged to report it and immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission.
The laptop contained personal information from over 84,000 UND alumni, donors and others and it is yet to be recovered.
However, information including individuals' credit card and Social Security numbers were protected by a data encryption system along with other security controls and there is no evidence suggesting that the information on the computer has been used in any way, according to the UND Alumni Association.
Notification letters are being sent to all effected individuals on the database for whom there is contact information and at the urging of the UND Alumni Association and UND Foundation, the software vendor has offered a free online credit monitoring service.
Alumni were mainly affected by this breech of security, but several unaffiliated donors and individuals that have attended alumni events were sent letters as well.
Affected individuals will be offered the TrueCredit Online Credit Monitoring service that includes unlimited access to their TransUnion credit report, credit score and analysis, daily TransUnion credit monitoring, and other additional services according to the association. Individuals will have until Jan. 31, 2009, to activate this service by using their assigned activation code delivered by mail to their homes.
The UND Alumni Association and UND Foundation are unable to release the name of the software vendor or where the theft occurred, except to state it was out of the immediate region and state, due to continued security precautions.
If any affected individuals notice unauthorized activity, they are encouraged to report it and immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission.
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