Postcard gaffe exposes employee SSNs at University of Chicago

The personal data of several thousand University of Chicago employees were mailed out on postcards sent to faculty and staff last week.

How many victims? Approximately 9,100.

What type of personal information? Social Security numbers.

What happened? Employee Social Security numbers were printed on postcards sent last week which reminded employees to enroll in health benefits.

What was the response? The University of Chicago is offering free credit monitoring services for a year to those affected. The school also notified employees on Friday by email about the mistake.

Details: A school official said there is no reason to believe outsiders had misused any of the information. The university also recommended that employees securely get rid of the postcards.

Source: chicagotribune.com, Chicago Tribune, “U. of C. mistake reveals employee Social Security numbers,” Sept. 28, 2012.