MEDIA ADVISORY
Jan. 31, 2008
COLUMBIA - On Tuesday, Jan. 22, a DHEC employee's personal vehicle was stolen from a convenience store near the DHEC Region 2 office in Spartanburg. Inside the vehicle was a DHEC-issued laptop computer. The computer, which is password-protected, contained the names and Social Security numbers of DHEC Region 2 employees in Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union, Greenville and Pickens counties.
DHEC is working closely with the Spartanburg Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement agencies to find the laptop computer and the personal vehicle.
DHEC is notifying appropriate credit reporting bureaus on behalf of the approximately 400 regional employees.
At this time, DHEC has no information or evidence that the employees' Social Security numbers have been used. No other personal information was stored on the computer. The investigation is continuing.
For more information:
Thom Berry - (803) 518-6088