The state of California reported this month that service providers IBM and Iron Mountain were unable to locate several specialized computer storage devices containing information from more than 800,000 clients.
The information was from the California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) in Rancho Cordova. The devices were in transit from IBM's storage facility in Colorado to California, and the storage devices were missing on arrival, DCSS said in a statement.
The department has identified which customers' personal information -- including name, address, and Social Security number -- could be affected; it has posted information on its website and established a toll-free telephone number (800-904-7674) for clients to obtain additional guidance.
Due to the specialized format of the information, DCSS has no reason to believe the information has been accessed, the agency said, but added that it has taken all precautions including notifying credit reporting services. Procedures are being revised to minimize future risk, DCSS said.
