Gap Says Laptop With Job Applicant Data Stolen

Updated from 2:52 p.m. EDT

SAN FRANCISCO - The personal information of about 800,000 people who applied for jobs at Gap(GPS Quote) could potentially be compromised as a result of a stolen laptop from a third-party vendor.

The apparel chain said Friday it began alerting the applicants, who sought positions over the phone or via the Internet between July 2006 and June 2007 and whose social security numbers were contained on the laptop.

Contrary to Gap's agreement with the vendor, the information on the laptop wasn't encrypted. Local law enforcement has been notified, and an investigation is underway. ...