Tapes on Marriott Vacation Club customers missing

Computer tapes have gone missing from Marriott Vacation Club International's Orlando headquarters, the company said Tuesday, with information on 206,000 employees, time-share owners and customers that could be misused by credit thieves. "We regret this situation has occurred and realize this may cause concern for our associates and customers," Marriott Vacation Club President Stephen P. Weisz said in a written statement.

Ed Kinney, a spokesman for the time-share giant, said the tapes contain people's addresses, Social Security numbers "and other sensitive information."

Employees and time-share customers are being alerted by mail, the company said, and will be offered an opportunity to enroll in a credit-monitoring service at no cost to them.

Kinney, vice president of corporate affairs and brand awareness, said the company has no idea how the backup tapes disappeared but has alerted authorities and is conducting an internal investigation.