Data Released From Scrapped Scanner
Data housed on a North Carolina State University office scanner containing the checking account information of around 51,000 businesses and individuals was inadvertently released when the scanner was sold as scrap in April 2006.
The data, collected from 2004 to 2006, contained paper check images reflecting bank account numbers, personal contact information and driver’s license numbers (if they were written on the checks). NC State was recently notified when a secondary purchaser of the scanner closely examined the scanner’s internal hard drive.
The scanner was returned to NC State shortly after the university was notified of the error. NC State information technology staff members have thoroughly examined the scanner to determine the amount of information it contained, as well as the contact information for those affected.
The university has no evidence that any of the personal data has been compromised or misused, although that possibility exists. NC State is in the process of contacting affected individuals by letter, which will provide information including measures that can be taken to monitor credit ratings. NC State expects all the letters to be mailed no later than the first week of July.
“Given that the data is at least six years old, it’s difficult to obtain current contact information for some of those affected,” said Marc Hoit, vice chancellor for information technology. “However, we are doing our best to notify the businesses and individuals identified.”
The personal information inadvertently released was collected at a time when office equipment data retention capabilities were not well-known. At that time, NC State followed all internal university procedures and industry best practices for discarding such equipment. NC State has also reviewed and updated its equipment surplus procedures to ensure that personally identifiable information is removed prior to selling used office equipment.
The university has established a call-in number for anyone concerned. Please contact NC State at 919/515-9763 for information regarding this event.
If you receive a letter informing you that your information was released, you should remain vigilant by reviewing account statements and monitoring free credit reports obtainable from:
- Equifax: 1-888-766-0008, http://www.equifax.com, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, Ga. 30374
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742, http://www.experian.com, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, Texas 75013
- Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289, http://www.transunion.com, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, Calif. 92834
To obtain further information about preventing identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission (600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580, 877/382-4357, www.ftc.gov) and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office (9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-9001, 919/716-6400, www.ncdoj.gov).
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