DWD to Send Notification of SSN Information Sent to Wrong Companies

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is notifying approximately 4,500 unemployment recipients concerning the accidental disclosure of their social security number to the incorrect employer.

The release occurred during the printing of DWD's "Statement of Benefit Charges" by print vendor, Pitney Bowes Management Services, Inc. This form is sent to companies listing the individuals collecting unemployment benefits against that employer's account. The misprinted statements contained information from individuals who did not work for that company.  Approximately 1,200 companies received incorrect statements.

"Although the potential for identity theft from this release is minimal because these statements were mailed to company officials and human resource professionals who handle confidential personal information on a routine basis, I apologize for any inconvenience it has caused to our customers," said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

DWD has notified the Indiana Attorney General's Office as required by law and will be mailing a letter next week to all individuals who had their information unintentionally released.  This letter will offer them access to a free credit report as prescribed by law.  DWD is also mailing each company that received incorrect statements informing them of their responsibility to safeguard and properly dispose of this information according to Indiana law.

DWD, the Indiana Department of Administration and Pitney Bowes have determined the misprint occurred due to unintentional print shop error.  Pitney Bowes will pay printing and postage of the letters to affected individuals, as well as corrected statements and letters to affected companies.  The vendor will also pay the costs of the credit reports for the affected individuals and has strengthened procedures to prevent future misprints.

Since 1987, DWD has mailed this "Statement of Benefit Charges" without incident to approximately 100,000 companies on a monthly basis.