Data Loss Source: Hundreds of confidential files were found in a filing cabinet purchased from the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem through a local auction.
Date of Breach: January 24, 2008
Size of Loss : Unknown
Affected Individuals: U.S. Marines and State Department employees stationed in Israel
Geographic Focus: Jerusalem
Data contained: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and other sensitive U.S. government information.
Additional Notes: The consulate was unaware of the missing files until FOX News contacted U.S. officials. Initially they said that no filing cabinets were sold in the auction, but later they acknowledged the sale. The State Department has now launched an investigation.
Additional Information: FOX News

Data Loss Source: A stolen laptop put hundreds of Madison city employees at risk of identity theft.
Date of Breach: January 24, 2008
Size of Loss : 500
Affected Individuals: Any official or employee — except those in the police, fire and transit departments — who was issued a new or replacement city identification card from the start of 2004 through 2007 may be at risk.
Geographic Focus: Madison, WI
Data contained: Data on the laptop included photos, names and Social Security numbers.
Additional Notes: The laptop was found about two blocks from the City-County Building and turned over to police a few days later, who determined late in the afternoon that no sensitive information was accessed.
Additional Information: Madison State Journal

According to the New York Times, the Veterans Affairs Department will pay $20 million to veterans for exposing them to possible identity theft in 2006 by losing their personal information. The department and the veterans agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by five veterans groups. The money will be awarded to veterans who can show that they suffered actual harm, such as emotional distress or expenses incurred for credit monitoring.

A Federal District Court judge in Washington must approve the terms of the settlement before it becomes final.

Data Loss Source: City employee data were stored on a laptop computer stolen from a city office.
Date of Breach: January 24, 2008
Size of Loss : 500
Affected Individuals: Any official or employee — except those in the police, fire and transit departments — who was issued a new or replacement city identification card from the start of 2004 through 2007 may be at risk.
Geographic Focus: Madison, WI
Data contained: Data on the laptop included photos, names and Social Security numbers.
Additional Notes: The laptop was found about two blocks from the City-County Building and turned over to police a few days later, who determined late in the afternoon that no sensitive information was accessed.
Additional Information: Madison State Journal

Data Loss Source:
Monster.com is advising its users to change their passwords after data were stolen from its database.
Date of Breach: January 22, 2008
Size of Loss : Unknown
Affected Individuals: Monster.com users
Geographic Focus: Global
Data contained: Monster.com user IDs and passwords were stolen, along with names, e-mail addresses, birth dates, gender, ethnicity, and in some cases, users’ states of residence. The information does not include Social Security numbers, which Monster.com said it doesn’t collect, or resumes.
Additional Notes: Monster.com posted the warning about the breach on Friday morning and does not plan to send e-mails to users about the issue.
Additional Information: PC World