Computers stolen from government contractor SAIC's facility

Government contractor SAIC last week reported a break-in to its corporate facilities in San Diego during which laptop computers were stolen containing personal information about the company’s stockholders.

The break-in took place Jan. 25 to an SAIC building that houses administrative staff, so the company’s outsourcing business was not affected, according to company officials. SAIC provides IT and systems integration services to commercial and government customers.

The computers stolen contain personal information about current and former stockholders, including name, Social Security number, address, telephone and records of shares bought and sold, officials say. The company is owned by employees, which include former high-level government executives from agencies including the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces.

Officials with the company say they have no conclusive information regarding whether the attack was targeted, meaning the thieves knew they were stealing computers that store financial and personal information. SAIC officials won’t comment on whether they believe the crime was an inside job.

SAIC reported the incident to San Diego police, which is attempting to recover the stolen computers. Other items were stolen during the break-in, though the company declines to specify.

The company has notified current and former stockholders of the break-in to alert them of potential ensuing identity theft, although officials say they have no reason to believe that was the intent of the crime. Notification was made by e-mail, and a letter is posted at the company’s Web site. The company has also established a toll-free number where a pre-recorded message offers stockholders information about identity theft, as well as a help desk that stockholders can call for further assistance.

SAIC has also advised stockholders to contact the three major credit bureaus and place a “fraud alert” on their credit files.

Under a recent California state law, companies who experience a breach in their computer systems that could result in identity theft must notify the potential victims.