YMCA says someone stole computer with members' data

By David Ibata

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The YMCA of Metro Atlanta has put out an alert to some members that a computer containing their financial information has been stolen, Channel 2 Action News reports.

The organization would not say how many people could be at risk.

One former YMCA member, Felix Ledee of Coweta County, told Channel 2 he received a letter Monday reporting the theft of several computers from a software testing vendor on Nov. 9.

One of the computers, the letter said, contained personal information of members active in 2008, including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, birth dates and bank account and credit card numbers.

The computer was, however, password protected, according to the letter, dated Nov. 14.

“Although this appears to be a property crime and not a theft of information, we strongly encourage you to take preemptive measures now to help prevent and detect any misuse of your information,” the letter said.

Members should monitor their financial accounts, review all transactions for unauthorized activity, and possibly register a fraud alert one’s credit report. The letter lists contact information for the Equifax, Experian and TransUnion credit bureaus, and recommends that members obtain a free credit report from each bureau.

“(The letter) took a week to get here … for us to find out our personal information may have been compromised, and I think that's not acceptable,” Ledee said.

Ledee said the YMCA should do more than just tell him to monitor his finances and get a credit report – “Not just tell you hey, we know your information is all out there. We messed up. They stole our computers and you’re on your own.”

The YMCA has set up a hotline people can call during regular business hours: 678-505-6439.