Agency Accidentally Posts 250,000 S.S. Numbers Online

Social security numbers for 250,000 people were posted online by mistake and a state agency is facing serious questions about why it was so careless with people's personal information.

The Agency for Workforce Innovation accidentally posted the sensitive information for people looking for work. All those numbers were left online for at least 19 days. The worst part is potential victims don't even know it yet.

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When thousands of Floridians went to a career center, their personal information was forwarded to the state. Then, by mistake, that information ended up on a state website visible to anyone with Internet access.

Just as they're desperate to find employment, local jobseekers now have a new worry. Their identities have been compromised. Names, social security numbers and employment information of more than 250,000 people who sought state help was accidently posted online. The Washington DC based Liberty Coalition spotted the error.

"This is obviously a case of gross negligence. How anybody could let 250,000 social security numbers end up online is beyond me. It seems like somebody should've gotten the memo you just shouldn't do that," said Aaron Titus, Liberty Coalition.

The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation made the mistake in October when setting up a computer server. Somehow information that should've been kept private became public, available by an online search. It has since been taken down, but those getting help from the agency aren't happy.

"It's absurd that an agency that's supposed to be protecting information can put it out there like just a sheet of paper thrown on the ground," said jobseeker Bruce Cosda.

The security breach affects people who went to a career service center between 2002 and 2007, even the identities of some their children were posted online.

"It adds insult to injury. These are obviously people who need help. They turn to the state government for help and it's kind of a kick in the pants," Titus said.

The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation says it will send out a letter to all the people affected by the breach. At this point, the agency said it does not appear the information has been used for any unlawful purpose.