Starbucks notifies 97,000 of stolen laptop (updated): Via PogoWasRIght - Privacy News Headlines

Several web sites and blogs are reporting that Starbucks employees were notified on Nov. 22nd of a laptop theft in Seattle on October 29th. The laptop reportedly contained personal information including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers.

The text of what is reported to be an internal memo signed by Russell Walker, Vice-President, Enterprise Security has been reproduced on a number sites, including the Starbucks Gossip blog and Laptop Theft Resources.

The internal memo does not state how the laptop was stolen, and suggests that the data were not encrypted. The company is offering those affected free credit-monitoring services with Equifax.

No statement has appeared on Starbuck's web site, and no one was available to confirm or deny the story at the time of this publication.

Update: We have just received this confirmation and statement from Starbuck's:

We recently learned that a laptop containing partner files was stolen onOctober 29, 2008. The laptop contained a file with the private information ofapproximately 97,000 U.S. partners (employees). At present, we have noindication that any partner data has been misused.

Starbucks takes our commitment to safeguarding the personal information andsecurity of our partners very seriously, and we regret the inconvenience thatthis incident may cause. Currently, we are making every reasonable effort tonotify those partners whose information may have been on the missing laptopand are offering to them a year of credit monitoring services at no cost.

We encourage any partners with questions or concerns related to this incidentand the steps we have taken to contact the Starbucks Partner Contact Center at(866) 504-7368.

Read Original Article (Via PogoWasRIght - Privacy News Headlines.)