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Notice of Breach of Security of Personal InformationIron Mountain Incorporated has notified the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) that it lost back-up media belonging to LOSFA on September 19, 2007. Iron Mountain Incorporated, which is the State of Louisiana’s data storage contractor, began efforts to locate the media the same day after discovering the loss. LOSFA immediately reported the incident to appropriate state authorities and has begun its public notifications. To date, the media has not been found, and the investigations by state and local law enforcement are ongoing.
The lost media includes some personal information on individuals participating in, or considered for participation in, programs administered by LOSFA. The data is compressed and requires special software, specific computer equipment and sophisticated computer skills to access it.
LOSFA has no reason to believe that the information has been accessed or that it has been misused in any way, however, you are entitled to be informed of the risks associated with the loss of this media and of the steps that you can take to protect yourself.
LOSFA has contracted with a nationally recognized organization specializing in the field of identity theft to assist it in providing the best information available to you.
LOSFA urges anyone who falls into the following categories to use the web link at the bottom of this page to determine if your information was affected:
- Anyone who has a Louisiana College Savings account (START Saving Program).
- Any resident of the state of Louisiana who has completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Anyone who has completed a FAFSA and included a Louisiana postsecondary institution as an institution to which FAFSA data should be sent.
- Anyone who has applied for or received a Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Scholarship.
- Anyone who has applied for or who has received student financial aid in the State of Louisiana.
LOSFA is committed to ensuring data security for our clients, and is taking all steps necessary to help those who are affected. We will make ongoing efforts to safeguard your personal privacy. If you believe your information was part of this potential data exposure, please click on the following link to access a secure website to see if you were among those affected:
https://osfantweb.osfa.state.la.us/Notice.nsf/Additional information, including a toll-free call center number will be provided to you once you have completed this on-line query.
