August 11, 2006
The US Department of Transportation is the most recent government agency to be hit with the theft of a laptop containing citizens' personal information. According to an August 9 letter sent from the DOT to Florida's congressional representatives, a laptop containing personally identifiable information (names, addresses, social security numbers, dates of birth, etc.) on 133,000 Florida residents was stolen from a parked government vehicle on July 27. For what it's worth (and it's not worth much), the laptop was password-protected.
Holders of Florida-issued commercial drivers licenses (CDLs), pilots licenses, and Tampa drivers licenses have all been advised via letter that their identities may be compromised, and the DOT is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the laptop. The DOT has set up a special Web portal with information on the theft, a tips hotline, a FAQ for those who may be affected by the breach, and so on.
more...
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060811-7477.html