Stolen Computer Had Students’ ID Numbers

A computer containing the Social Security numbers of 12,000 college students was stolen from a Santa Clarita community college.

College of the Canyons spokeswoman Sue Bozman said Friday the theft involved a computer unit used to process student photo identification cards. The computer’s hard drive contained names, photographs and Social Security numbers.

The theft occurred Monday after a night worker briefly left the building. Upon his return, workers found broken windows and noticed the computer was gone.

Bozman said the college waited to notify the public about the break-in to protect the sheriff’s investigation.

The college intends to mail notification cards to all students registered at the school since July 1999.

Because the computer was a stand-alone unit, Bozman said, whoever stole it would not have access to the college’s mainframe computer that stores personal information such as addresses, phone numbers and grades.