Computer containing students' Social Security numbers taken from Bloomsburg University office

Bloomsburg University is notifying students and alumni who were enrolled in Julie Kontos' psychology classes from 2004 to 2006 about the possible theft of their Social Security numbers after a laptop was stolen from a campus office.

On Nov. 1, several computers and small digital devices were stolen from offices in Centennial Hall. One of the missing devices is a laptop used by Kontos, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts. University police are investigating the theft.

On Nov. 4, it was determined the laptop's hard drive contained student rosters for psychology classes Kontos taught from spring 2004 through summer 2006. The rosters included student grades and Social Security numbers which, at that time, were used as student identification numbers. The university replaced Social Security numbers with alternate student ID numbers in fall 2006.

"We have identified and are in the process of contacting all of the 574 students who were enrolled in Professor Kontos' classes during that time period and alerting them to what has taken place," said Wayne Mohr, assistant vice president for technology. "We are encouraging them to sign up for free credit monitoring with one of the three major credit bureaus to watch for any suspicious activity." Citizens Voice