PCC: Computer with personal info stolen

PORTLAND, Ore.- Officials at Portland Community College issued a press release Thursday saying that a computer and data storage device stolen from a car belonging to a PCC employee had sensitive personal information on it.

A data-storage device containing the names and Social Security numbers of an estimated 2,900 Multnomah County participants in the Oregon Food Stamp Employment Transition Program was taken August 5 in a car break-in on campus, officials said.

Wing-Kit Chung, college vice president for administrative services said that “so far, there is no indication at this point that any of the personal information in question has been accessed by anyone outside the college.”

Those persons whose information has been possible compromised have been alerted to the theft, Chung added.

The employee whose car was broken into was working at two PCC locations and was transferring information from one site to the other when the theft occurred.

“PCC takes its responsibility to protect private information seriously,” Chung said. “We are working to limit the use and availability of personally identifiable information.

An article has been posted at www.pcc.edu with further information for those affected.

The article includes contact numbers for credit-monitoring agencies and information regarding a credit-protection service PCC is offering to the participants of the program. Further information is available at www.pcc.edu/incidentresponse.com.