The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Local News

January 5, 2008

Seniors’ personal info stolen

A computer stolen in a Johnstown burglary last month contained personal information about more than 20,000 senior citizens in four counties, including Indiana and Clearfield, officials confirmed Friday.

The theft of the state Department of Aging laptop computer resulted in the state’s sending personal notifications to each senior and providing free credit-monitoring services to them for a year.

“We know of no breaches (of any confidential information),” said Yvonne Bucher, chief of staff to the department’s secretary, on Friday.

In addition to Indiana and Clearfield counties, the 20,632 affected clients reside in Union and Snyder counties, Bucher said.

The information in the database included Social Security and telephone numbers and addresses of the clients.

A department employee – who was not identified – had been visiting overnight in Johnstown for a family member’s funeral, Bucher said, when the machine was stolen.

The employee is an aging services specialist and was testing a database, Bucher said.

The computer had a double password protection, but the department took the extra precaution of providing the credit-monitoring services rather than chance somebody gaining access, she said.

Johnstown police have indicated that they believe the laptop was stolen for its own value rather than the personal information, Bucher said.

Johnstown police Capt. Andrew Frear said police were continuing to investigate the Dec. 5 theft from a Moxham residence.

No arrest has been made, and the laptop has not been recovered, he said.

The state worker has not been disciplined, Bucher said.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • park.JPG Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May

    An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.

    February 9, 2012 2 Photos

  • meth1 Man jailed on rash of charges

    A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.

    February 9, 2012 2 Photos

  • Cambria abolishes 16 jobs

    Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.

    February 9, 2012

  • griffith mug 12-2011.JPG Blogging with heart

    Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
    As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. 

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Wozniak, John Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill

    State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • tim houser Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak

    Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • CONZO,_DANA Judge tosses evidence in robbery

    A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder

    A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.

    February 9, 2012

  • samuel mcfarland Garrett man sought in Somerset crime

    An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • CLINTON EDWARDS City man shot during alleged burglary

    A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday. 

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

Poll

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2012-13?

Yes, I support his proposed budget.
No, I don't support his proposed budget.
I don't know anything about it.
     View Results
AP Video
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
House Ads
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com