TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is offering free credit protection to people affected by a data breach.
The department notified customers that their social security number may have been taken by an overseas breach. They say that it is offering free credit protection for one year to these individuals.
Officials say no financial information was obtained in this data breach, which is the first that has occurred during this administration.
However they say, the social security numbers that may have been stolen had been entered in an online field where either a social security number or Federal Employer Identification Number could be entered.
Additionally, officials say the names of 16,190 concealed weapon licensees may also have been stolen, however, no other individually identifying information of the concealed weapon licensees was compromised.
The department's Office of Inspector General determined that there is no risk of identity theft to these licensees.
According to officials, other information possibly accessed per the data breach is all public information and poses no risk of identity theft.
Individuals who have concerns regarding their personal information should take the following steps:
- Obtain a free credit report at www.AnnualCreditReport.com;
- Place a fraud alert on your credit report if you believe your information has been compromised;
- Closely monitor financial information;
- Report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement; and
- Check credit reports and credit card statements periodically.
Individuals can get a free credit report once a year by contacting:
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289, Transunion.com;
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, Equifax.com; and
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742, Experian.com.
Customers who may have been affected by this data breach can call 1-800-350-1119 for more information.
