Breach, Data Security

Stolen laptop leads to compromised unencrypted personal data

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The personal information of an undisclosed number of individuals who have enrolled in or discussed health care plan options with an AppleCare Insurance Services agent has been compromised after the agent's laptop was stolen.

How many victims? The total number of affected individuals has not been disclosed. 

What type of personal information? Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses.

What happened? The laptop belonging to the agent and containing the sensitive data was stolen.

What was the response? AppleCare Insurance Services has notified those affected by the breach, have filed a police report, and offered one year of free identity theft protection services.

Details: According to a letter by Michael Blea, and sent to those affected by the incident, those affected may include anyone who has “worked with” or discussed health plan enrollment with the agent. The company is intending to take “appropriate employment action” against the agent. After an investigation, company officials reviewed the backed-up content that was on the laptop's hard drive in order to determine the information located on it. No credit card or financial information belonging to individuals was on the laptop.

Source: https://oag.ca.gov, “AppleCare Notification Letter,” March 3, 2014.

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