COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland announced Wednesday state efforts to protect the public from identity theft will be expanded.

It came after the governor revealed that the personal information of hundreds of thousands of additional taxpayers was contained on a state computer data storage device that was stolen from an intern’s car last month.

At a statehouse news conference, Strickland said, “There were names, Social Security numbers and check amounts.”

When the data was first stolen last month, it was thought it contained only the information on current state employees. Later, Strickland announced it also has information on taxpayers who had not cashed income tax refund checks, lottery winners, and some school districts.

On Wednesday, Strickland released details of the latest round of information believed to be on the data device. It raised the number of people affected to 859,000.

The state established a toll-free call center for taxpayers with questions about obtaining identity theft protection.

The number is 1-800-267-4474.

People can also use the Internet to obtain the same information.

The state website is: www.ohio.gov/idprotect.

Hugh Quill, director of the Department of Administrative Services, said, “The emergency operations center has now been repopulated with agency personnel to answer calls immediately. The Web look-up capability went live last night. So people will be able to see if their data is out there and at risk.”

Jim.otte@whiotv.com