Agencies in Washington state were reportedly set to sell computers loaded with personal data ranging from Social Security numbers to a psychiatric evaluation.
The Olympian newspaper, citing a state audit of 177 computers that were among the 10,000 or so for sale last summer, said 11 had information considered unlawful to disclose. The computers with the personal data were quarantined at a Department of Enterprise Services warehouse after the discovery. The state made $411,600 in computer sales in 2013.
Investigators told the paper they believe computers sold in past years likely contained the sensitive information.
"If we are getting very little money for these computers and we have high risk, then I think we have to stop," Troy Kelley, an auditor, told the paper.
The paper reported that the data on the computer included a welfare application, bank card information and a psychiatric evaluation.
There is no evidence that any personal information has been used in the past. The state sells about 10,000 surplus computers annually, the report said.
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