A security breach at the Toyota plant was being investigated Thursday after a laptop computer containing personal information for more than a thousand people was stolen, News 4 WOAI learned.
The laptop belonged to an independent contractor who was testing people applying for jobs at the plant, officials said. The computer was stolen after-hours. Toyota officials were sending out notices to people whose information may have been compromised.
More than 100,000 people have applied for jobs at the Toyota plant, and the personal information of applicants and employees could be in jeopardy, officials said. The stolen laptop contained the names and social security numbers of 1,500 people.
The computer was locked in the plant's exercise facility, but company officials said someone found they key to the facility and took the laptop. Toyota officials told News 4 WOAI they believe the thief wanted the computer, not the files with personal information.
"We take very seriously the safeguarding of personal information and we are reviewing our security procedures to see if we can strengthen them further," a company spokesman told News 4 WOAI.
The case has been turned over to San Antonio Police investigators, Toyota officials said.