Stolen Computer Holds Government Database of 1.4 Million Coloradans

by Mike Bevel, CollectionIndustry.com

It?s a good thing criminals don?t read things like news. If they did, one lucky burglar would learn that the laptop he recently purloined contained the personal data of 1.4 million Coloradans ? including birthdates and social security numbers. And while it?s a toss-up between sending a birthday card or enrolling in half a dozen credit card programs ? this reporter?s money is on identity theft rather than on the ?Lordy, Lordy, look who?s 40!? list. If he had any money. Which he rarely does.

Affiliated Computer Services, a business and information technology outsourcing company, began notifying Coloradans, including about 500,000 folks listed on the state’s child-support enforcement division database, that their identity may be on the laptop stolen on October 14.

Police at this time don?t believe that personal financial records of the people whose data is contained on the laptop has been compromised yet. In fact, there isn?t any indication that the computer was stolen specifically for the purpose of identity theft. Again, though, there?s always a ?yet? ? and for the folks effected by this data breach, it can be both costly and time consuming to regularly purchase and keep tabs on their credit report ? on the off-chance they find that they?re the proud not-really-owners of half a dozen 40? flat-screen plasmas.

Kevin Lightfoot, spokesman for ACS, has not said whether his company would reimburse people for the cost of their credit reports or any theft that may result.

The computer was stored at an ACS office in a secure area monitored by surveillance cameras accessible only by password, officials said; however, so far, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has no suspects.