Thursday, May 9, 2013
The Washington state courts system revealed today as many as 160,000 Social Security numbers and up to 1 million drivers license numbers may have been compromised due to an online data breach in February.
Officials warned that criminal defendants, recipients of DUI citations and people recently booked into jail may have had their personal information illegally downloaded. Those individuals should be aware of the risk of ID theft.
"We regret that this breach has occurred and we have taken immediate action to enhance the security of these sites," says state Court Administrator Callie Dietz in a news release.
The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts believes just 94 individual social security numbers were specifically accessed, but allowed for the "potential" of thousands more. Those 94 people will be notified.
The office stresses no court records could have been altered and no financial data was kept on the site.
Officials offered these criteria for individuals who may have had their information compromised:
Social security numbers:
• If you were booked into a city or county jail within the state of Washington between September 2011 through December 2012, you may have had your name and social security number accessed.
Driver license numbers:
• If you received a DUI citation in Washington State between 1989 through 2011;
• If you had a traffic case in Washington State filed or resolved in a district or municipal court between 2011 through 2012;
• If you had a superior court criminal case in Washington State that was filed against you or resolved between 2011 through 2012, you may have had your name and driver license number accessed.
A website with additional information on the breach has been established at: www.courts.wa.gov/databreach. A question hotline is also available at: 1-800-448-5584.