Laptop Stolen Containing Information of over 100,000 Taxpayers

Connecticut state officials have confirmed that a computer laptop with the names and Social Security numbers of more than 106,000 Connecticut individual taxpayers has been stolen. The computer was taken from a state employee's car on August 17th. It is said to be password protected, therefore it is highly unlikely that the information could be accessed without specific knowledge.

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services began notifying affected taxpayers of the situation on August 28th and has also notified the appropriate law enforcement authorities who are conducting an administrative investigation of the matter. The personal information on the stolen laptop was not from one single source of tax filings. The names and information contained on the laptop were randomly grouped for systems testing and the data was not part of any compliance initiative. The department has set up a website at www.ct.gov that includes an information search to let taxpayers find out if their information was on the stolen laptop. If you filed a CT tax return within the last four years, you can find out if your name was on the laptop through the aforementioned website or by calling 1-888-407-9994.

The State of Connecticut will provide theft coverage to affected taxpayers free of charge for a full year from the date of registration. The services will be provided by Debix Identity Protection Network. More information on how to register for this theft coverage can be obtained by calling Debix directly at 1-877-351-3645. All state taxpayers are encouraged to obtain one free copy of their credit report every twelve months from each of the three major credit bureaus to protect themselves against identity theft.

State taxpayers are also urged to be skeptical of random callers offering credit or identity theft protection services. The Department of Revenue Services has adamantly pointed out that the State of Connecticut, the federal government, or any credible Identity Protection Network would NEVER initiate a phone call asking for a Social Security number, banking information, or any other personal information.

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