Metro said it accidentally published the Social Security numbers of nearly 4,700 former and current employees on its Web site.

Officials said a document was posted between June 9 and June 25, as part of a solicitation from Metro to companies wanting to provide worker's compensation and risk management services.

"I would like to think the metro would have good safety precautions in place to prevent that stuff from happening," said local Garrett Holmes.

They said the information mistakenly comprised Social Security numbers of 4,675 employees. The document also included the names and Social Security numbers of a smaller group of workers.

"I imagine some guy just not paying attention, clicked the wrong button on a lot of systems, not quite enough security on them," said local resident Robert Hayes.

Metro sent letters to those affected. The agency is offering employees free credit report monitoring, identity theft insurance and counseling services.

"As a Metro rider, if I ever use my credit card I'm left thinking, 'Well that's my information it can be leaked too,'" said Steve Haidar.

Metro chief safety officer Ronald Keele said officials are taking steps to protect employee information, such as improving Internet security. Metro said the people involved with the slip-up were reprimanded.

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