http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/14513672.htm BY SHERYL JEAN Pioneer Press May. 06, 2006 Wells Fargo & Co., the largest bank in Minnesota and the nation's fifth largest, said Friday that a computer containing sensitive data for some of its mortgage customers is missing and might have been stolen. It's not known whether the computer contained Minnesota customers' information. The computer, which was being transported by an unidentified global shipping company between Wells Fargo locations, had names, addresses, Social Security numbers and mortgage loan account numbers of some Wells Fargo mortgage customers and potential customers. It did not contain other types of customer account numbers. Wells Fargo spokeswoman Peggy Gunn wouldn't estimate the number of individuals who could be affected, citing an ongoing law enforcement investigation. She added, "The event affects a relatively small percentage of Wells Fargo's customers." San Francisco-based Wells Fargo said it had no indication that the customer information has been accessed or misused. Gunn said the computer has two layers of security, but she declined to elaborate. She also declined to describe the type of computer or how and when it disappeared. Wells Fargo will notify by mail individuals whose information was stored on the computer by May 30. The bank is offering those affected a free one-year credit monitoring service. Wells Fargo has reported two other computer security breaches, in 2003 and 2004. The bank has had no indication that the information was accessed or misused in either case, Gunn said. Also Friday, Union Pacific Corp., the nation's largest railroad, said it's investigating the theft of a computer containing the names and Social Security numbers of 30,000 current and retired employees. The computer was stolen April 29 from a human resources employee. Nationally, more than 160 security breaches have occurred in the past 15 months, affecting more than 55 million accounts, according to Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a nonprofit privacy advocacy group based in San Diego. Those breaches included more than 40 cases of stolen or missing computers or laptops. "The general population is waking up to the fact that personal data is not well secured," said Beth Givens, director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. New federal and state laws require companies to notify customers when personal information is lost or stolen, which makes them vulnerable to identity theft. Online: Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, www.privacyrights.org _________________________________ Attend the Black Hat Briefings and Training, Las Vegas July 29 - August 3 2,500+ international security experts from 40 nations, 10 tracks, no vendor pitches. www.blackhat.com
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