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IDFG license buyer info leaked |
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August 27, 2016 |
Idaho Fish and Game learned Friday that personal
information for license buyers who began
purchasing hunting and fishing licenses and tags
prior to 2008 was potentially accessed by a
breach of the online computer license sales
system owned and operated by Active Network, a
Texas-based company.
During a Friday afternoon conference call,
Active Network executives told Fish and Game
that it cannot confirm whether any personal
information was actually taken but that it is
possible.
The data breach apparently occurred sometime
over the summer. Personal information
potentially includes name, age, address, and
Social Security Number. Idaho Fish and Game is
required by state law to obtain this information
to issue a license.
Credit card information is not kept in the
Active Network licensing system and Fish and
Game is confident it was not accessed.
“This is a serious matter and we encourage all
license holders who may potentially be affected
to take proactive steps to protect themselves,”
Fish and Game Deputy Director Ed Schriever said.
“We apologize to our license buyers and will
continue to work with Active Network to get to
the bottom of this.”
Active Network notified Idaho Fish and Game of
the online breach on August 23. Fish and Game
shut down the online portion of the system the
next day. Fish and Game requested Active Network
hire an independent cybersecurity firm to
conduct a review and the company agreed to the
request.
The information learned today from Active
Network is specific to Idaho. Idaho residents
and nonresidents who started buying hunting and
fishing licenses and tags before 2008. Those who
made their first license purchase after 2008 are
not at risk.
Fish and Game recommends license buyers follow
the advice of the Idaho Attorney General’s
office and monitor their financial accounts and
credit history for any signs of suspicious
activity.
In response to the breach, Idaho Fish and Game
has shut down the online license sales site
where the breach occurred and it will remain
shut down and will not be brought back up until
an independent third party says it is safe to do
so.
Idaho hunting or fishing licenses and tags are
still available at about 400 businesses
statewide and also at Fish and Game offices. The
computer terminals used to sell licenses and
tags at businesses and Fish and Game offices are
separate from the online system.
If you detect something suspicious with your
accounts, call your local police department or
sheriff’s office and file a report of identity
theft. Get a copy of the police report. You may
need to give copies of the report to creditors.
Whether any important personal information was
obtained in the data breach, it’s a good
reminder to be vigilant against identity theft.
Here’s how:
The Federal Trade Commission has a website to
help you learn more about identify theft and
prevention at
www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Review your
bank, credit card and debit card account
statements and immediately report any suspicious
activity to your bank, credit union or credit
card company. |
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