HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Clearfield County, is alerting citizens about the theft of a state computer containing personal information of county residents and changes affecting initial unemployment compensation claims.
“A state Department of Aging notebook computer containing confidential information of Clearfield County residents was stolen Dec. 5 in Johnstown,” George said. “The state agency is taking precautions and no evidence exists that the information is being used inappropriately. However, Department of Aging clients should be especially alert for fraud.”
George said the Department of Aging is notifying the 20,632 agency clients in Clearfield, Union, Snyder and Indiana counties whose information was in the computer. Social Security numbers were included for about 16,000 of the clients in the four-county area.
“Potentially affected clients have had a fraud alert placed with the three national credit-reporting bureaus, and the agency’s notification letter to clients lists instructions on how to request credit-monitoring services,” George said. “An agency official also informed me that no information from PACE – Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly – applicants was included in the pilfered computer.”
Consumers with questions or who believe they have been affected may call the Department of Aging toll free at 1-866 592-8622 between 7 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Information on countering and preventing identity theft is available on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Web site.
“It’s always a good idea for everyone to check their monthly bills and statements for questionable charges and to be wary of any request for personal information,” George said. “Con artists don’t take time off for the holidays and don’t believe giving is better than receiving.”
George said beginning Dec. 17 the state Department of Labor and Industry would take initial unemployment compensation claims by phone on Tuesdays through Fridays – not on Mondays.
“This temporary change affects only initial UC claims made by phone,” George said. “Initial claims filed online are accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Online claims can be filed anytime here using “unemployment” as the keyword. Initial UC claims made by phone are accepted between 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. The phone numbers for the UC Service center in Altoona are 1-888 313-7284 toll free and 814-946-7224.
George said the Department of Labor and Industry is making the temporary change to improve service during the busy months of December through February.