Wells Fargo is contacting an undisclosed number of home-mortgage customers about the delay in notification regarding a potential security breach. Wells Fargo is reporting that it agreed, at the request of law enforcement officials, to not notify customers about the suspected theft of a computer loaded with customer information. That information included names, addresses and Social Security numbers. The lender says that there is no indication that the information has been used. The company says that the computer contained no depository or account numbers. Company officials have also said that there are "two layers of security" that prevent unauthorized access to computer information. The company confirmed that the computer was reported missing earlier this year. Wells Fargo is not releasing many details about the incident, including how many customers are affected. Letters will be mailed to customers this month. "We contacted law enforcement when we learned of the situation, and an investigation began. They directed us to delay notifying all customers because they were concerned it would jeopardize the investigation," the letter explains. The company states that law enforcement "no longer believes notification would interfere with the investigation, and we are contacting you now to alert you of the situation and suggest ways to reduce any potential risk to you." Wells Fargo spokesman Tom Unger said the missing computer affected a "small percentage of customers" from the United States. It was reportedly lost in transit while being transferred between offices. No further information is being released. "All I can tell you is there's no indication the information has been misused or accessed," said Unger. |
