It was bound to happen, two D.C. lawyers filed a class-action lawsuit on June 27, 2006 on behalf of 13,000 city workers and retirees whose personal data was compromised in the theft of a laptop from a government contract worker this month.

The lawsuit was filed in D.C. Superior Court against ING Annuity and Life Insurance Co., seeking at least $10,000 in damages and lifetime identity-theft monitoring for each of the 13,000 city workers and retirees.

ING manages two retirement plans for D.C. government employees. The company notified city officials on June 16 that an employee’s laptop containing workers’ personal data — such as Social Security numbers — had been stolen on June 12.

Company officials noted the potential for identity theft because of the laptop’s lack of encryption or password protection.

While ING offered to provide identity-theft monitoring for one year, the attorneys said that one year is not good enough.

"You don’t take away my identity and tell me how you’re going to help me get it back," one attorney said. "I’m going to get it back through any means necessary. One year and one day from now, if someone decides to take my identity, ING cannot say that it is not responsible."

However, company officials at ING said they will make credit monitoring and fraud expense coverage available to all victims for as long as it is needed.

"We are committed to making this service available for as long as necessary to protect the participants," an ING spokeswoman said. "ING has communicated directly with all affected individuals and is working with them to help put in place the protections being offered by ING at its expense."

Last week, ING mailed letters to the 13,000 workers, warning them about identity theft and encouraging them to enroll in credit monitoring and identity-fraud protection through Equifax.

About The Author:
Attorney Edward A. ("Ted") Bills can be reached at 719.444.1000 or at http://www.SpringsAttorney.com.

Attorney Ted Bills has one mission – to fight for the rights of personal injury victims and those who have been devastated by the misconduct of others – he represents clients with an aggressive approach designed to provide SWIFT justice.

Attorney Bills is a member of the American Bar Association, the Colorado Bar Association, the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, and the El Paso County (Colorado Springs) Bar Association. He works in tandem with his clients to provide assertive, business-savvy, legal services that solve problems, reduce delays, and minimize costs.

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