MSNBC is running an article about a computer that was hacked exposing the personal information of roughly 70,000 residents of the state of Vermont. The breach occurred sometime in December 2006. The state is planning to send a letter to the affected persons.
The Human Services computer was used as a tool to track non-custodial parents who owe back child support. The state and a number of banks exchanged financial information on the computer, which was taken out of service in early December after technicians discovered what they thought was a computer virus.
It remains offline, officials said.
About 12,000 of the affected individuals owed back child support. The rest of the names _ about 58,800 people — were supplied to the state by the New England Federal Credit Union, which shared customer information with the understanding that only the data on child support debtors would be used.
If you live in Vermont (and are a deadbeat Mom or Dad) be sure to check your credit information.
[tags]Vermont State Computer, Privacy Breach, Computer Hacked[/tags]