| Questions
and Answers
What happened?
A flash drive containing the names and social
security numbers of approximately 990 students who lived in the
Capital Quad (Evins, Browning, Maddux, McCord, Cooper, Dunn, Ellington,
Warf) and Crawford residence halls last fall was misplaced.
What kind of information became vulnerable?
Only names and social security numbers were listed.
Is my information at risk?
Although it may be possible the data could be
found and accessed by unauthorized individuals, campus officials
say they have no evidence that it has been discovered or used by
anyone else. They are erring on the side of caution by warning anyone
who might have been included on the list.
How will I know if I'm affected?
The university is contacting all of the students
who lived in those residence halls during the fall semester of 2007
via campus mail and e-mail as a precaution. Anyone who believes
his/her information is compromised at any time should consider protecting
themselves as outlined on the Federal Trade Commission web site
at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt04.shtm#CRContact.
How did TTU respond to the problem?
Residential Life staff members continue to search
for the flash drive. They have also implemented procedures to prohibit
storing social security numbers on any portable devices. University
officials are contacting the major credit reporting agencies to
inform them that some students’ personal information may have
been compromised. The university also sent a press release to regional
media; sent a broadcast e-mail about the incident to all faculty,
staff and students; and created this web site with information on
how those affected can protect themselves. TTU will continually
review processes in order to maintain personally identifiable information
in a secure environment. Within the year, all of the student information
in campus databases will move to a new data system that replaces
student social security numbers with individually assigned identification
numbers.
What is the university doing to help protect
the students?
The university responded as outlined above. Students
were also advised about how they could protect themselves. Information
about contacting credit reporting agencies and creating fraud alert
systems was mailed to them and made available on the university’s
web site, where a link to the Federal Trade Commission site includes
detailed instructions on what to do to avoid identity theft and
fraud. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt04.shtm#CRContact
Have the appropriate people or agencies been
notified by the university?
Yes, the university is contacting the major credit
reporting agencies to inform them that some students’ personal
information may have been compromised.
Will the university make sure it doesn’t
happen again?
Yes. Residential Life staff members have implemented
procedures to prohibit storing social security numbers on any portable
devices. Campus officials are contacting the major credit reporting
agencies to inform them that some students’ personal information
may have been compromised. TTU will continually review processes
in order to maintain personally identifiable information in a secure
environment. Within the year, all of the student information in
campus databases will move to a new data system that replaces student
social security numbers with individually assigned identification
numbers. University officials are also implementing a process to
require every employee on campus to be aware of personal information
and take specific steps to secure or destroy it.
What can I do if I’m concerned about
protecting my personal information?
The Federal Trade Commission recommends that
you call the toll-free fraud number of any of the three nationwide
consumer reporting companies and place an initial fraud alert on
your credit reports. An alert can help stop someone from opening
new credit accounts in your name.
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com;
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374- 0241
- Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com;
P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com;
Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA
92834-6790
You are entitled to order
free copies of your credit reports, and, if you ask, only the last
four digits of your SSN will appear on your credit reports. Once
you get your credit reports, review them carefully. Look for inquiries
from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open,
and debts on your accounts that you can't explain. Check that information,
like your SSN, address(es), name or initials, and employers are
correct. If you find fraudulent or inaccurate information, get it
removed. For more details about protecting your identity, visit
the Federal Trade Commission website at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt04.shtm#CRContact
Once you've taken these
precautions, watch for signs that your information is being misused.
If your information has been misused, file a report about the theft
with the police immediately, file a complaint with the Federal Trade
Commission, and notify the TTU Residential Life Office immediately.
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