163,000 Butler University community members dating back to 1983 hit by breach

Officials at the school, located in Indiana, learned on May 28 from police about an identity theft investigation affecting students, faculty and applicants. The hack was traced back to California.

The "suspect had in his possession a flash drive containing the information of certain Butler University employees,” Butler President Jim Danko warned those potentially affected in a 6/26 letter.

Further investigation turned up indications of "unauthorized hacking" into Butler's computer network.

The compromised files contain names, birth dates, Social Security numbers and bank-account information. “Alumni whose information could have been tapped include those who graduated as far back as 1983,” university spokesman Marc Allan said.

The suspect had no ties to Butler.

"At first I thought it was a scam," said Kimberly Somermeyer, 55. “I graduated from Purdue in 1982 and took one master's level science course at Butler in the fall of 1983."

She kept a sense of humor about the incident.

"I wish the hackers would let me know what my grade was at Butler," Somermeyer said. "I have since forgotten."