April Havens reports:
Residents’ personal information could be in jeopardy after someone took Head Start records from Jackson County Civic Action Committee Inc.’s Jefferson Street facility in Moss Point.
Spokeswoman Hannah Donegan sent out a news release today saying the theft occurred between April and April 24, and a police report has been filed in Moss Point.
The stolen records include names, mailing addresses, Social Security numbers, birth dates and some health records for students and families who applied for Head Start in the 2008-2009 school year, she said.
“We have no way of knowing how many files were stolen,” JCCAC Executive Director Diann Payne said. “But we have alerted all parents of the possibility that they might be affected.”
Read more on GulfLive.com.
A notice on the JCCAC’s web site reads:
Between April 22 and April 24, 2013, records from Jackson County Civic Action Committee, Inc.’s Head Start program were stolen from the Jefferson Street facility in Moss Point.
Records included names, mailing addresses, Social Security numbers, birthdates and some health records for students and families who attended Head Start in the 2008-2009 school year.
JCCAC has filed a police report with the Moss Point Police Department for the theft.
As a preventative step, JCCAC recommends anyone who applied for Head Start during the 2008-2009 school term closely monitor their and their child’s financial information and promptly report suspicious activity to their financial institution. JCCAC also recommends that parents submit a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338) or by visiting https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
Individuals may also want to contact Equifax, Transunion and Experian to obtain a credit report; they can do so by calling 1-877-322-8228 or by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.
Even if fraud isn’t detected immediately, it is recommended that individuals consistently monitor their credit. They may also wish to place a security freeze on credit. This is free for individuals with a police report indicating record theft, which affected individuals may pick up at JCCAC’s Central Office at 5343 Jefferson St., Moss Point MS, 39563. To obtain a freeze, contact the following agencies:
- Equifax: 1-888-298-0045; https://www.freeze.equifax.com
- Transunion: Fraud Victim Assistance Department, PO BOX 6790, Fullerton CA, 92834
- Experian: Send an email to [email protected]
Individuals who may have been affected should contact JCCAC Executive Director Diann Payne at 228-769-3317 or Head Start Program Director Vanessa Gibson at 228-769-3401.