Alcatel-Lucent Notifies Employees and Retirees of Former Lucent Technologies of Missing Computer Disk Containing Personal Information

Alcatel-Lucent was informed on May 7 by one of the company’s vendors that a computer disk containing personal information could not be located. The information contained on the computer disk included name, address, Social Security number, date of birth and salary data of Alcatel-Lucent U.S.- paid employees who worked for Lucent and their dependents, and Lucent retirees and their dependents. There was no information regarding customers or their accounts, and the disk did not contain credit card numbers, bank account numbers or password information.

The disk was prepared by Hewitt Associates for delivery by UPS to another of the company’s vendors, Aon Corporation. It appears that the disk was either lost or stolen between April 5 and May 3. Although we do not have information that any of the personal information has been misused, as a precaution the company has asked the U.S. Secret Service to investigate and has reported the incident to state and local law enforcement officials. The company also has launched an internal investigation and is working closely with law enforcement officials.

“We recognize that we have a responsibility to carefully protect this type of information and deeply regret this loss,” said Frank D’Amelio, chief administrative officer for Alcatel-Lucent. “We are taking steps to try to prevent this from happening in the future. In the meantime, we will provide information and assistance to our employees and retirees to help them minimize any potential risk this incident could create for them.”

Today the company sent an email regarding this incident to its employees and is preparing a printed mailing to employees, retirees and their dependents to inform them of what has happened. The company is providing information on its web site where employees, retirees and dependents can get more information, including suggestions on actions they can take to protect themselves against identity fraud.

In addition, Alcatel-Lucent is arranging to provide the individuals at risk with identity theft protection and credit monitoring for one year free of charge. Credit monitoring services will include unlimited online access to a credit report and score, monitoring of all three national credit bureau reports, email alerts to inform individuals of key changes to their credit report, and fraud resolution and assistance. More information on this can be found at the company’s web site at www.alcatel-lucent.com or by calling 1-866-795-8756, which will be available between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday.