Lax laptop security is a growing privacy concern

Here’s something scary: Millions of personal files on consumers are stored on laptop computers routinely left in areas accessible to thieves.

Forget hackers that bypass sophisticated security systems. Identity thieves are simply walking off with laptops containing lots of juicy private and financial information.

Ask Linda J. of Lenexa. In May, she received a letter from a former employer stating cryptically: “We are contacting you about a potential problem involving possible identity theft.”

The letter went on to say the stolen computers contained names, addresses and Social Security numbers on current and former employees.