CollegeInvest clients' identities may be at risk

DENVER - A security breakdown at a state agency has put around 200,000 people at risk of having their identities stolen.

CollegeInvest sent out letters this week to clients informing them that their names, addresses and Social Security numbers may be at risk.

As a nonprofit division of the Department of Higher Education, CollegeInvest helps students and families finance college through student savings accounts, loans and scholarships.

"We feel pretty confident the data itself will not be accessed," spokeswoman Jennifer Robinson said. She said it is encoded and password protected. The company has not received any calls from clients saying their identities have been stolen, she said.

The lost data were stored on an external hard drive used to back up files. CollegeInvest discovered the drive was missing after it moved into its new Denver offices. Robinson said the organization conducted an extensive search to no avail.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has been asked to determine if the drive was stolen or lost.

CollegeInvest has recommended its customers monitor bank statements and credit reports. It will also pay for one year of free credit monitoring for those affected.