May 29, 2009 Notification Regarding Advice of Deposit Printing Error

NOTICE

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) has become aware of a printing error involving “Advice of Deposit of Unemployment Compensation Benefits” forms, which were mailed out earlier this week. OIT launched a thorough internal investigation immediately following discovery of the printing error and has taken definitive steps to address this error.

On May 28, due to a printing error, certain claimants received in the mail an “Advice of Deposit of Unemployment Compensation Benefits” form which was misprinted. The outside of the form showed the claimant's mailing address, but the inside showed information from another individual claimant. The form included the other claimant's Social Security Number, but no bank account information and no birth date or address. The disclosure was also limited in that a claimant's personal information only went to one other person. Of the 4,996 forms printed, 597 were printed incorrectly.

At this time, there is no indication that the data has been improperly used. The Office of Information Technology has sent a notice by mail to each of the affected claimants and has provided them with information about the error and how to respond. In that mailing, the Maine Department of Labor will include a correct version of the misprinted form and further instructions.

The Office of Information Technology has identified the cause of the printing error and has taken necessary steps, including the development of new safeguards and procedures that will prevent the problem from reoccurring. The error has been reported to the Attorney General's office as required by law. For further information please contact Richard Thompson, Chief Information Officer at 624-7568 or Greg McNeal, Chief Technology Officer at 624-8800.