Nearly 17,000 past and present Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) employees are now at risk for identity theft after an outside data storage company lost tapes containing their personal information.

LIRR officials say names, addresses and social security numbers are just some of the information contained on high capacity computer data tapes that were reported missing on April 6. Officials from Iron Mountain, the storage company, say the data is secure because highly specialized expertise and equipment would be necessary to access the information.

The LIRR has set up a Web site to help employees deal with potential identity theft and is offering a year of free credit monitoring. Consumer experts recommend everyone get their credit checked at least once a year.

Related Information: Identity Theft Resources Annual Credit Report FTC's Website on Credit Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs Suffolk County Office of Consumer Affairs Identity Theft Pamphlet Consumer Tips What To Do If You?ve Been Victimized