Laptop containing personal information about hundreds stolen - 19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports

The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities has notified 613 individuals who receive its services that their names and birthdates may have been on the hard drive of a laptop computer stolen from an employee's car in North Royalton.

The laptop itself was password protected. The Board of DD believes that, although the information on the laptop could be used for identity theft, the likelihood is that it was stolen for its street value rather than any personal information it may have contained.

In its letter notifying those potentially affected by the theft, the Board of DD has recommended that they place a fraud alert on their credit files and provided instructions on how to do that. A fraud alert tells creditors to contact an individual before they open any new accounts or change existing accounts. Those who have never had a credit card or utilities in their name, paid rent or borrowed money from a bank probably will have no credit file and will not need to place a fraud alert.

The Board of DD has also provided information about what individuals should do if they find any suspicious activity on their credit reports or have reason to believe their information is being misused. Staff are available to assist individuals who may need assistance in taking the appropriate steps to ensure their personal information is not being misused.

The Board of DD serves more than 9,000 children and adults who have developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga County. It is supported primarily by a 3.9-mill levy last approved by voters in 2005.