Thursday, September 28, 2006

Thieves take N.C. DMV computer with personal info of some motorists who received new licenses between March 2005 and Sept. 10

The most vulnerable motorists are residents of Franklin County

The Associated Press

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RALEIGH, N.C.

Thieves have taken a computer containing the sensitive personal information of thousands of North Carolina motorists, the state's Division of Motor Vehicles says.

The DMV has mailed notifications to 16,000 drivers that someone took the computer from the agency's Louisburg office earlier this month. The computer contained personal information - including Social Security numbers, birth dates and drivers license numbers - for some motorists who received new licenses between March 2005 and Sept. 10.

Most vulnerable motorists are residents of Franklin County, where Louisburg is located, said DMV spokeswoman Marge Howell.

Howell said the personal information is not easily accessible and there is no evidence that it has been used for identity theft. Motorists will receive notification letters, which ask potential victims to report any suspicious activity, this week.

The agency took almost three weeks to send out the notifications after learning of the burglary Sept. 10.

While sensitive personal information can be used for financial fraud, Louisburg police detective Jason Abbott said the thieves probably sought the computer to make counterfeit drivers licenses.

http://www.wsjournal.com/