Davidson County: If you're a registereed voter, your SSN is out in the wind

[dunndw]

From the Tennessean:

The names, addresses and complete Social Security numbers of more than 337,000 Davidson County voters may be in the hands of thieves.

This information could be used by identity thieves. County election officials are warning the public tonight to monitor their credit accounts for any suspicious activity.

Someone broke into several county offices over Christmas and stole laptop computers that county officials now believe may have contained Social Security numbers and other personal information for every registered voter in Davidson County. Election officials originally believed the laptop contained only partial Social Security numbers.

As we looked deeper into determining the extent of loss that occurred during the holiday break-in, we now know that full social security numbers were included on the voter files contained on one or more of the stolen computers," county election administrator Ray Barrett reported Friday. "Initially, we thought that the only information was the same that the public can purchase when putting together mailing lists, we now know that was incorrect.

Take care to protect yourselves...I'm guessing the government isn't going to do SQUAT for you. I personally signed up the wife and I for Lifelock tonight

[Guest canynracer]

that SUCKS...

LifeLock...the greatest thing since Ex-Lax...(no, that is not a shot at LifeLock, it really is awesome!)

[Guest abailey362]

Reports I saw this morning said it was only last 4 of social. From the sound of what else they stole from the report I saw, I don't think they were looking for information, just electronics. Now that the media has publicized everything that can be done with the info, voters should be much more scared.

My mom works for Boeing and they had 2 laptops stolen with all payroll info on it from someone's car. The company has paid for credit lock and monitoring ever since. I somehow doubt Davidson Co will pony up and do the same.

[dunndw]

WKRN updated the story on their 6 O'Clock news with the news that the entire SSN was on at least one of the laptops. The Tennessean article also said the same.

WTF were they doing on the laptops in the first dang place. Why weren't they on a server somewhere. BGy the time metro got around to doing something for 337,000 people a LOT of fraud will be committed

[Guest Len]

I've got to agree. The full database should not be on any laptop anywhere. It should be on a secure server underneath a mountain or something. If I were a Davidson County resident, I'd seriously look at my legal options here. Also, if I were a state legislator, I'd seriously look into filing some legislation making this practice illegal.

Btw, the Tennessean reported that this information "is the same information candidates for office can buy from the election office" or words to that effect. Everyone should know that SSNs are NOT part of the database that is sold to candidates (or anyone else who wants it). The database also does not contain specific voting history, only what elections you voted in, and what method of voting you used (early, day of election, absentee, etc..) This is state-wide law, not just Davidson County.

WKRN updated the story on their 6 O'Clock news with the news that the entire SSN was on at least one of the laptops. The Tennessean article also said the same.

WTF were they doing on the laptops in the first dang place. Why weren't they on a server somewhere. BGy the time metro got around to doing something for 337,000 people a LOT of fraud will be committed

[Guest canynracer]

.

As we looked deeper into determining the extent of loss that occurred during the holiday break-in, we now know that full social security numbers were included on the voter files contained on one or more of the stolen computers," county election administrator Ray Barrett reported Friday. "Initially, we thought that the only information was the same that the public can purchase when putting together mailing lists, we now know that was incorrect.

looks like they got full numbers...and the person that had that on their laptop should be fired...

on a side note...WTF are they using laptops for if they dont take them home? at least lock them in a drawer...that IS the point of laptops, they are MOBILE....

and yes, the info should have also been on a server, encryption is a GOOD thing...

think they are hiring in thier IT dept??? LMAO

[Guest CrazyLincoln]

They get so concerned with electronic security, they forget physical security is just as important.

You could have a 256-bit password a thousand random characters long and it does you no good if they can just steal the unencrypted data storage.

Even if portability was an issue, they could have at least kept the info on an encrypted flash drive and thrown them in the safe at night. We're talking SSN's here, not just a word document with grandma's casserole recipe!

[Guest HogMan]

Now thats just rude as hell.