Fla. says personal information from unemployment website mistakenly released

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida's new problem-prone unemployment website may be putting user identities in jeopardy.

The state said personal information was mistakenly made available to 122 employers.

If users don't give their Social Security number, they can't do anything.

9 Investigates asked what the state's doing to make sure personal information doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Luis Rodriguez hasn't received an unemployment check since the state's new website launched last month.

"I've been unemployed for quite some time now and now I'm trying to get up and it's very difficult," Rodriguez, who has three children, said.

Those trying to file for unemployment benefits were already frustrated with the state's website called "Connect." The latest glitch involving personal information adds to the frustration.

"If you don't give out (a) Social Security number you can't do anything, so you're stuck," Domenic Messina said. "They're requiring it and then they aren't protecting you."

Eyewitness News obtained a letter the state sent to employers involved in the unemployment process.

The letter explains how Social Security numbers of people registered in the unemployment system were accidentally released in the system to more than a hundred employers.

Eyewitness News also tracked down a letter sent to the people whose personal information was compromised, which apologizes for the incident.

Rodriguez said the website asks for Social Security numbers, and said she's afraid someone might get it.

WFTV