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News Release

On Oct. 12, 2009, a data storage device used for work-related purposes, along with personal property, was reported stolen from a Roane State Community College employee’s vehicle.

Roane State officials have determined that the data storage device contained primarily names and Social Security numbers of 10,941 people, including 1,194 current or former employees and 9,747 current or former students.

The device also contained Social Security numbers only, but no names, for 5,036 current or former students.

No academic records were included on the device.

The college has sent letters to anyone who may be affected by this theft and has notified major consumer reporting agencies.

“While we have no reason to believe that the data was stolen for identity-theft purposes, we urge those affected to closely monitor their financial accounts for irregularities,” said Danny Gibbs, Roane State Vice President for Business and Finance. “Roane State deeply regrets the exposure of this data. While Roane State’s policies define rules for protecting confidential data, when something like this happens, you stop, step back, and take a look at everything you are doing. We are reviewing our procedures to determine what additional measures can be put in place to keep something like this from happening again.”

The vehicle was broken into while parked off campus. The crime is being investigated by the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, and Roane State officials are in contact with the Sherriff’s Department to monitor the investigation.

“Immediately after the theft, we did not want to release information that would interfere with the investigation,” Gibbs said. “Once it became clear an arrest, or the recovery of the device, was not imminent, we informed those affected as quickly as possible.”

Links

Federal Trade Commission's identity theft Web site (includes tips for protecting your personal data)
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

National consumer reporting companies

• Equifax: www.equifax.com
• Experian: www.experian.com
• TransUnion: www.transunion.com

To order your free annual credit report from one or all the national consumer reporting
companies: www.annualcreditreport.com