Las Vegas Sun December 25, 2008 Las Vegas Sun * News * A&E * Opinion * Sports * Multimedia * Guides * Blogs * Topics * Politics * Jobs Click here Click here ____________________ Search * Henderson * Green Valley * South Valley * Summerlin North/East * Summerlin South/West * Silverado * Boulder City Click here Click here * Print 1 Comment * Print Print * E-Mail E-mail * Share Share * iPod iPod * del.icio.us del.icio.us * digg digg * Newsvine Newsvine * Facebook Facebook Identities of 16,000 Pulte Homes customers compromised By Jean Reid Norman Thu, Dec 25, 2008 (7:53 a.m.) Related link * Pulte Homes Computer tapes holding private customer information including names, addresses, driver's license numbers and financial account numbers were stolen from a Pulte Homes office in Las Vegas last month, and the developer is cautioning home buyers to take precautions to protect their identity. In a letter dated Dec. 19, Pulte Homes Las Vegas Division told 16,000 customers of the Nov. 13 theft of a box containing computer backup tapes. "At this time, it is not known whether the box was stolen with the knowledge of its contents, or the intent, know-how and ability to extract and exploit the information stored in these backup tapes," the letter said. So far, there is no indication that any of the information has been used for identity theft, Pulte spokeswoman Jacque Petroulakis said Wednesday. Information on both home buyers and employees was on the tapes, she said. The theft was reported to Metro Police, and the company is cooperating with the investigation, Petroulakis said. Pulte Homes Inc., of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., along with its Del Webb/Sun City subsidiary, is one of the largest homebuilders in Las Vegas and the nation. The theft was noticed shortly after it occurred, Petroulakis said, though she added police advised the company not to discuss details. It took a month for Pulte's information systems team to identify the customers who were potentially affected, she said. "We proactively informed anyone who can be potentially affected," she said. "We definitely pride ourselves in having a safe environment for our customers." Pulte advised customers in the letter to take steps to protect themselves from identity theft and is providing its customers a free year of a credit monitoring service. Among the precautions the letter suggested were closing credit card and other financial accounts and getting new PINs and passwords. It also recommends placing a fraud alert on customers' credit files to force creditors to contact the customer before a new account is opened. Customers have until March 31 to sign up for a free year of Experian's Triple Advantage Premium credit monitoring service at Pulte's expense, the letter said. The service monitors credit reports of Experian and the other major credit monitoring services, Equifax and TransUnion. It also sends e-mail alerts when changes are noted, provides a free credit bureau report and credit score and offers assistance for those who become a victim of fraud or identity theft. Petroulakis did not know how much that would cost the company. "I know it's a significant investment on the part of the company," she said. "It's a small investment to ensure our home buyers feel we are creating a safe environment for them." Discussion: 1 comment so far… 1. By FallonSouth 12/25/08 at 2:55 p.m. Suggest removal "Computer tapes holding private customer information including names, addresses, driver's license numbers and financial account numbers were stolen from a Pulte Homes office in Las Vegas last month." It took a month for Pulte to identify the customers. "We definitely pride ourselves in having a safe environment for our customers." Merry Christmas! Wait till you get the BILL in January. It's not like they sold you a Home next to a TOXIC WASTE DUMP and forgot to tell you that you were in danger. Right? Pardee Homes? How's the Health of those Sunrise Highlanders? It won't be long before that letter comes out. Right Pardee Homes? Post a comment Commenting requires registration. Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Full comments policy. Username: ____________________ Password: ____________________ (Forgotten your password?) Login OR Create an account (It's free) * Most Read * Discussed * Most E-mailed 1. Brothers arrested in death of high school teacher 2. Marie Osmond makes herself at home in Green Valley 3. Man found dead in Henderson home 4. Angst as rent control expires 5. Checks on cops’ wrongs evolve 6. Las Vegas to end licensing, regulating of centers 7. Rebels beat T-birds but lose Adams 8. 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