That’s the headline for a story in the upcoming issue of Newsweek about the data analyst from the Department of Veterans Affairs who downloaded a database of more than 26 million records and taken it home and had it stolen. Read the story at http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13122864/site/newsweek/

That theft, along with the information from 243,000 hotels.com customers (the laptop was stolen in February but the company didn’t notify customers until May 3rd), and the admission this week that the personal data on up to 50,000 active Nacy and National Guard Personnel was also on the VA laptop means that for those who are counting, the number of folks whose identities could be compromised has taken a huge leap over last year’s numbers.

I’ll ponder all of this and talk about my nearly impossible journey to buy a new cell phone (first time in 6 years!!!) next on the Ilyce Glink Show, 11a to 1p Sunday on Newstalk 750 WSB. You can tune in live at www.wsbradio.com.

I hope you’ll join us.

Published: Jun 4, 2006