CEDAR RAPIDS - FEMA has confirmed to TV9 that personal information belonging to flood victims was stolen on July 7th.

When FEMA denied his original application for help, Vince Blank thought he'd heard the last from the Federal Agency.

Then he got a call Thursday night, saying his personal information was at risk.

"I don't know what they've got, I don't know what that FEMA woman has that's got her so scared about to call me," said Blank.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department said it all started on July 7th, at 2:45 in the morning. A FEMA inspector was staying at the Aspen Inn when someone broke into his car in the parking lot and stole his briefcase and his computer.

After calling FEMA, they gave TV9 a statement you can read below. It said the thief got information "including the name, birth date, FEMA registration identification number and the complete address of the applicant's damaged dwellings."

"She stressed the fact that they did not have my Social Security Number, they mentioned that two or three times," said Blank.

FEMA says after an internal investigation, they determined that only 90 people were affected, and has contacted each of the victims within the last few days.

One of the victims in Vinton, in Benton County, said she was told it happened to an inspector that was working in the town.

FEMA did not provide further comment.

FEMA did say they have already purchased one year's worth of an identity theft protection service for each of the 90 victims.


Below is the statement FEMA released to TV9 Friday afternoon:

FEMA STATEMENT ON THE UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE OF PRIVATE INFORMATION

A housing inspector’s vehicle was broken into in Iowa. The housing inspector’s briefcase was missing, from the vehicle, containing personally identifiable information, including the name, birth date, FEMA registration identification number and the complete address of the applicant’s damaged dwellings. Social security numbers were not included. The inspector immediately contacted his company, who then notified FEMA. Upon notification, FEMA took immediate and aggressive action to identify the applicants at risk and to protect these applicants’ personal information.

FEMA was alerted to this potential situation on July 7, 2008. After an investigation, we determined that no social security numbers were released and are not at risk. FEMA identified roughly 90 applicants whose information was released and began to notify them of the incident and explain the situation and the actions being pursued to minimize the impact. The telephone notification was followed by formal letters with the same information.

In addition, FEMA purchased a one year subscription to an identity theft protection service for the affected applicants. Through this service, applicants will have identity theft insurance and fraud resolution. Information explaining all the services being provided is being sent to the applicants.

FEMA regrets that some disaster applicants may have had certain personal information placed at risk as a result of this theft. The agency is making every effort to protect those affected and to prevent such an incident from occurring again in the future.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Email Justin Foss at Justin.Foss@kcrg.com