Raleigh, N.C. — A laptop computer belonging to an employee of the state Division of Aging and Adult Services was stolen in Atlanta last month as the employee was returning from a conference, state officials said Wednesday.

The laptop contains personal information about some clients receiving home and community services from DAAS, and state officials have contacted those people since the Oct. 25 incident to alert them to the potential for identity theft.

The information on the laptop was password-protected, officials said.

A second group of DAAS clients will receive a different letter informing them that certain information about them was on the laptop and that they should be cautious of unusual phone calls or other inquiries, officials said.

Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to call the state Department of Health and Human Services CARE-LINE, Information and Referral Service at 1-800-662-7030 or 1-877-452-2514 for hearing-impaired people.