Why encryption is critical
Users of the Bank of America Corp.'s Visa Buxx prepaid debit cards are being warned that they may have had sensitive information compromised after the theft of an unencrypted laptop computer. In a letters sent to Buxx users and dated Sept. 23, the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank warned that customers may have had their bank account numbers, routing transit numbers, names and credit card numbers compromised by the theft. Visa Buxx was a prepaid credit card for teenagers that the Bank of America stopped selling in January.
The laptop, which belonged to an unnamed Bank of America service provider, was stolen Aug. 29, said Diane Wagner, a company spokeswoman. The bank was notified of the theft Sept. 9 and began sending out the letters after a two-week investigation, she said.
Folks, do yourself a favor. If you have the capability to encrypt your laptops and aren’t doing it, make some noise.