http://timesnews.net/article.php?id=9006702

ETSU says stolen computer could lead to identity theft

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) -- East Tennessee State University has sent a letter to 6,200 people whose identities could be compromised by the theft of a desktop computer.

The letter, dated Monday and provided to the Johnson City Press by the father of a graduate who received one, says the computer is password protected and files cannot be easily accessed. But it says there is a small possibility that the information could be compromised.

Those who received the letter are asked to notify one of the three major credit bureaus and place a fraud alert on their files.

University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Bert C. Bach said ETSU has set up a Web site with procedures for preventing or dealing with identity theft.

Bach said the missing computer was stolen from a secured area on May 17. ETSU officials are investigating.