ATHENS, Ohio (May 4, 2006) -- On Monday, May 1, the university announced at a press conference that the university recently experienced two separate and apparently unrelated incidents of data theft. In one instance, someone gained entry to a computer system that supports alumni relations and obtained unauthorized access to a large number of its electronic records. Representatives of local and statewide media outlets covered the press conference. 
The focus of the press conference was to help alert those who may have been affected so they can take proper precautions.
That same day, the university's fraud alert Web site (www.ohio.edu/datatheft) went live with information that affected individuals can use to get more information and to determine what steps they can take to protect themselves from identity theft. On Wednesday alone, this website received more than 10,000 unique hits.
By the end of the day Wednesday, the university had sent e-mail communication to approximately 65,000 alumni, friends, and faculty and staff with additional information regarding their personal records.
University personnel have responded to more than 2,000 phone inquiries at the data theft hotline (1-800-901-2303 or 566-7448).
By Monday, May 8, the first of more than 240,000 individual letters to alumni, friends, and faculty and staff will be in the mail. These letters will provide the affected individuals with additional information regarding their personal records. This process will be complete in approximately two weeks.
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Media Contact: Media Specialist Jack Jeffery, (740) 597-1793 or jefferyj@ohio.edu
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