H&R Block computer stolen; customer data lost

Local customers of H&R Block have received letters informing them that a company computer server has been stolen containing personal information on potentially thousands of residents.

The server was apparently stolen from a car Sept. 4 during a car prowling incident at the H&R Block office at Sears in the North Town Mall, according to the letter.

“The stolen computer contained personal information you had provided to H&R Block,” the letter, dated Sept. 22, states.

However, client files on the stolen computer were produced by software that is not available to anyone outside the company. The first seven fields of each file describe the client name and addresses; the remainder of the file consists of thousands of characters in a continuous string.

“The structure of these files would be extremely difficult to follow for someone who does not have a working knowledge of the H&R Block program that created them,” the company letter states.

Company spokeswoman Janine Smiley said the company is taking all reasonable steps to limit the consequences of the theft.

“We have taken action immediately in support of our clients affected,” Smiley said.

She didn’t explain why it took the company 18 days to produce the letter sent to its customers.

Anyone who fears their information has been compromised should contact the fraud department at any of the three major credit bureaus.

Each service will automatically alert the other two.

Customers can reach Equifax at 1-800-525-6285; Experian at 1-888-397-3742; or TransUnion at 1-800-680-7289.

The fraud alert requests that creditors contact you before anyone opens new accounts or makes changes to your existing accounts.