FYI for those in middle TN

[Taylandra]

I heard on the radio this morning that the laptops with Davidson county registered voters information were stolen over the holidays. The information includes addresses and social security numbers.

I just wanted to let folks who may live in that county of TN know in case they had not heard about it yet! Keep an eye on your information since who knows who got the laptops.

[Irish Elf]

Lovely. Thank goodness I no longer live in Nashville. Sorry this happened to anyone.

[shoegal]

Thanks Cassie! Yet another *shocking* surprise of how well organized Metro can be. Sadly, it is probably an inside job. I need to check with ex-Mike (he works for Metro) to see if he has heard anything. Did that do a write up in The Tennessean?

[Taylandra]

I heard about it on 100.1 when they did a news blurb yesterday morning. When I said something to DH, he said he had heard about it on Friday (I believe on the radio as well).

I haven't read anything in the newspaper about it, but that doesn't mean much since I look at it online or read the hard copy at work when I have a few free minutes (something that has not been happening with the whole McKendree thing, but that's a whole 'nother story).

Because I only heard the short blurb, I have no idea if the laptops were password protected (not that it would mean a whole lot to hackers, I guess) or what they were doing to fix the situation. As an aside, I don't know what this means for the primary around here if the voter registration info is gone...

[shoegal]

They have a small story on WSMV's site and the Tennessean last night/today. Basically, the office is not answering a lot of questions; they did recommend do put a security watch on your SSN and they would notify those affected via a letter. My thing is, they should pay for the credit protection. It wasn't like I left my SS card and other vital information laying around or wrote it on the bathroom wall at the Brewhouse. Stupid people. . .

[miller88]

Just interrupting the thread to say "mmm, Brewhouse." It's my favorite!

Shoegal - Thanks for making me think of it in the middle of a Wed. when I can't escape work.

[Taylandra]

I love their hotwings...MMmmmm....Perhaps I shall have to go this weekend. :D

I was told that the state notified the three major credit agencies, for what that will do.

[coquelicot]

Apparently the laptops were password-protected, but the user IDs and passwords were written on a piece of paper and taped to the laptops. Um, gee, that helps with security, doesn't it?

I'm glad I don't actually live in Davidson County...but I agree that Metro should pay for the credit monitoring for every affected person.

[Taylandra]

I hadn't heard that little tidbit! Rather funny...And now the heat is on Wackenhut security. It does sound like they were kind of shady with some of their employees and whatnot, but you need to have several safeguards in place when you info that important.

[shoegal]

Now I am getting a hanckering for hitting up the brewhouse. Oh, tomorrow is Friday, wonder if I can twist Stacey and J's arm. . .

[akacharlotte]

Nope, we have reservations at Red Robin as guinea pigs before they open. J's mom got the invites somehow unless we meet you there afterwards since it is so close to the house.

In regards to the thread topic:

J's aunt(works for the state) stated a letter is going out to those affected and the state will pay for 1 year of credit monitoring.

[akacharlotte]

Oh and why in the hell aren't the laptops password encrypted. J's company does that and if you enter the wrong password the hard drive shuts down.

[akacharlotte]

Never mind, just saw coquelicot's post about the passwords being taped to the laptop.

[shoegal]

Ooooo! I am so jelly about you getting to go to Red Robin!!!!!! Give me a call when ya'll are done. Maybe we can meet up for a bit. Good to know about the letters going out. I was wondering if they were going to do something for us. I am assuming I will be getting a letter since I am registered in Davidson County.