So I Got This Letter...

[BuffaloSabresBrewer]

From my health insurance company. Apparently they lost a laptop with all my vital information on it. Great f^cking job idiots! So someone might have all my information. I guess I shouldn't worry though. I got enrolled in some crappy credit watch for a year for free. It doesnt even cover any loses if someone does steal my idenity. It just basically tells me that someone has. Fantastic! And what happens after one year? If someone uses my information obtained from their laptop after a year its not their fault right?! F#cking fantastic! So Im thinking Ill have to sign up and pay out of pocket after my year is up or am I just paranoid? I even got my tax refund today and was happy then I opened up this letter. So what do you say should I sign up for some kind of protection after a year? ****ty day.

 

[JohnA111]

I thought this was gonna be "I got this letter from the IRS that they are facilitating my conversion to all grain and the purchase of a keezer and associated equipment in order to stimulate the economy".

I really don't know about the extra protection options. Sucks to hear that you got this news to rattle your mind. In perspective though, at least you were actually told about it happening. I believe our personal info leaks out without notice far more times than any of us would like to believe.

 

[kenche]

I previously worked as an information security consultant for a major international bank. That letter you received is pretty standard when a laptop goes missing or gets stolen.

Over 99% of the time, the laptop is stolen for it's value as a laptop. It is unlikely, though not impossible, that the laptop was stolen for the personal data found on it.

It is also unlikely that whoever stole it would find the data, or know what to do with it if they did.

I wouldn't be too concerned, but do keep an eye in your credit record for the next year.

 

[EricK The Red]

Rdwhahb! :d

 

[FlyGuy]

Write them back to ask why your personal information was on a portable laptop. Say that seems inconsistent with basic principles of information security. State that your intention is to seek legal counsel to determine if your rights have been protected adequately.

What have you got to lose?

 

[TexLaw]

You are entitled to one free credit report from each agency each year. There are three such agencies. Just go HERE and pull a report every four months after that free year is up.


TL

 

[WOP31]

Life Lock

Promo Code: RushL

 

[cubbies]

Write them back to ask why your personal information was on a portable laptop. Say that seems inconsistent with basic principles of information security. State that your intention is to seek legal counsel to determine if your rights have been protected adequately.

What have you got to lose?

That is what I would do to.

 

[rdwj]

Life Lock

Promo Code: RushL

If you like giving away money for no additional protection, that's a great idea.

 

[kornkob]

Write them back to ask why your personal information was on a portable laptop. Say that seems inconsistent with basic principles of information security. State that your intention is to seek legal counsel to determine if your rights have been protected adequately.

What have you got to lose?

Fact is, it happens and it will probably happen again. Heck-- the guy who owned the laptop might not have been aware of the 'personal information' at any point-- could have been in a spreadsheet that someone sent him in is email or part of some other thing he was working on.

The odds of this loss actually resulting in an indentity theft is slim, really. Odds are the stolen laptop will end up being sol for a hundred bucks to someone who will use it to surf porn and listen to music.


Watch your credit reports and immediately contest anything that you see there that you don't recognize.

In the event the worst happens your first indication is probably going to be a debt collector calling. If you get any calls from collection agents, give them ZERO information (none-- confirm or deny NOTHING) demand copies of the evidence of the original debt (not the evidence that they bought a debt from someone else) and document every contact. Then talk to a lawyer. (Dig around http://caveatemptorblog.com/ for advice on handling debt collectors and the Fair Debt Collection Act)

 

[FlyGuy]

Heck-- the guy who owned the laptop might not have been aware of the 'personal information' at any point-- could have been in a spreadsheet that someone sent him in is email or part of some other thing he was working on.

If this were true, I believe you would definitely have a lawsuit, or at least a good chance at a settlement out of court, on your hands.

 

[BierMuncher]

SOP for most financial instituitons is that if personal customer information is breached, the company will pay for one-full year enrollment in an identity protection program.

It's the least they can do.

 

[Loweface]

I give blood and recently got a similar letter about a loptop beinmg lost in New York... My question is why was an Irish Blood Transfusion Service laptop in New York????

 

[WOP31]

If you like giving away money for no additional protection, that's a great idea.

?.....I just heard a radio ad, never really read anything about them.