Armstrong: Stolen Laptop Had Info of 12,000 Employ

Lancaster, PA, July 26, 2006--A laptop stolen from a payroll auditor contains personal information regarding about 12,000 current and former Armstrong World Industries Inc., employees, the company said. The data includes home addresses and phone numbers, Social Security numbers and how much the people were paid. A two-page letter sent by Armstrong last week said the company was not aware of any misuse of the information, and that a password was required to access it on the computer. The laptop was stolen from a locked car belonging to a Deloitte & Touche LLP employee, Armstrong said. Armstrong advised employees to watch their bank accounts, credit cards, bills and financial statements for signs of unusual transactions. It also suggested that for three months they place a fraud alert on their credit files.