Marriot had about 206,000 of it's members credit card and Social Security numbers disappear in November. They have reported this to the secret service. Now with the credit card numbers it's not as much of an issue -- though it is disturbing -- because if they are known they can be instantly canceled, but the Social Security number are a real problem.

When are these companies going to learn to secure their data? All you have to do is look at the Related Entries below to see that this is a growing problem. It's no wonder there is a rise in identity theft.

Of particular note in the article is the number lost or stolen and the number of total customers they have in this subsidiary of the company.

Washington Post

Marriott International Inc.'s time-share division said yesterday that it is missing backup computer tapes containing credit card account information and the Social Security numbers of about 206,000 time-share owners and customers, as well as employees of the company.

Officials at Marriott Vacation Club International said it is not clear whether the tapes, missing since mid-November, were stolen from the company's Orlando headquarters or whether they were simply lost.

...

"We regret this situation has occurred and realize this may cause concern for our associates and customers," said Stephen P. Weisz, president of Marriott Vacation Club International, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bethesda hotel chain. More than 280,000 families use its time-shares worldwide.

So basically they lost or had stolen the data of almost their entire customer base.

Tipped by: Riehl World View