School email exposes students’ Social Security numbers
A high school in Tarpon Springs, Fla. recently sent out a mass email bearing student Social Security numbers. The school’s guidance counselor sent the email to Tarpon’s entire senior class of about 400 students and parents regarding the Bright Futures Scholarship program.
According to school officials, the message included two attachments that listed the student’s name and ID number which, in most cases, is his Social Security number.
Commented one student, whose number was on the list: “I think it’s messed up. I don’t want my identity to get stolen.”
“The district has decided to provide ID theft protection for all the students that were affected, whose information went out, and that’s being worked on right now,” said Melanie Marquez, Pinellas County School District spokesperson. “We’re getting quotes from different companies to be able to provide that service and the school district will cover the cost for that service. It’ll be up to the students and their families, if they’d like to enroll.”
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