State Attorney General Roy Cooper said North Carolinians who get word that their personal information could be at risk because of a security breach need to take steps to protect themselves.

In December, a state Department of Revenue laptop containing information about approximately 26,000 consumers and 7,700 businesses was stolen.

As required by law, the department notified Cooper's office and sent letters to people affected by the breach.

“We pushed for laws that require government and businesses to notify consumers when a security breach puts them at risk of identity theft,” said Cooper. “Consumers who get one of these notices can act fast to protect their good names.”

A security breach happens when data or records containing personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account numbers are lost or stolen.

Under state law, state and local governments as well as businesses must notify consumers if a security breach may have compromised their personal information and potentially placed them at greater risk of identity theft.