Breach, Data Security

Sacramento County data exposed for nearly a year

Sacramento County has notified citizens whose data may have been left exposed for nearly a year.

How many victims? 843 EMS applicants

What type of information? Names, addresses, social security numbers, driver's licenses data, phone numbers, dates of birth may have been exposed. 

What happened? Between August 8, 2015 and August 1, 2016, officials said an error in the county's automated application system within the Accela software may have made personal information available to Emergency Medical Service license applicants that had an account on the system.

What was the response? The County is working with Accela and has since corrected the problem. In addition, officials are offering one year of free identity protection services to those affected. Those affected are encouraged to monitor their accounts for fraudulent or suspicious activity.   

Quote: “If you are very concerned about becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, a security freeze might be right for you,” officials said in the Notice of Breach. “Placing a freeze on your credit report will prevent lenders and others from accessing your credit report in connection with a new credit application, which will prevent them from extending credit.”

Source:  Notice of Breach, Sacramento County Communication & Media Officer Brenda Bongiorno

UPDATE: This story has been updated to include the number of those affected.

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