A computer believed to be stolen from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Gateway Center in Springfield contained private information for approximately 3,000 individuals. For many, current addresses are not available to send individual notifications by U.S. Mail. DHS is notifying involved individuals by e-mail and through this media alert that they may be at risk for identity theft.
The computer contained private information for people who were fingerprinted at two DHS locations:
- The Willamette Street office in Eugene between August 2008 and August 2010, and,
- The Gateway Center in Springfield between August 2010 and December 8, 2011.
This group of people may include DHS staff, volunteers, foster parents, adoptive placements, respite providers and in-home care providers. The computer did not contain private information for clients.
Even though the computer had encryption and password protection, there is risk of identity theft. DHS filed a police report and has notified the top three credit reporting agencies – TransUnion, Experian and Equifax – of the incident. DHS also set-up a toll-free hotline at 1- 855-360-4554 for people to call if they think they may be involved and want more information.
“We take the protection of private information very seriously and apologize for any concern or inconvenience this may cause for the people involved,” said John Radich, DHS district manager for Lane County. “We are reviewing our security procedures and making changes in Lane County and throughout the state to minimize the chances of this happening again.”
DHS recommends that people who were fingerprinted at the Willamette Street office in Eugene between August 2008 and August 2010, and the Gateway Center in Springfield between August 2010 and December 8, 2011, take the following steps to protect themselves from identity theft:
- Contact the credit reporting agencies and ask them to place a fraud alert on their credit report. Alerts tell businesses to contact you before they open new or make changes to your accounts.
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 or www.equifax.com
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 or www.transunion.com
- Check on bank and credit card accounts and let them know if something isn’t right.
- Change online logins and passwords, especially for any bank and credit card accounts.
- Contact law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you suspect you are a victim of identity theft. You can contact FTC at 1-877-438-4338 or www.consumer.gov/idtheft/.
“We alerted the top three credit reporting agencies of the incident but individuals must contact those agencies directly to take advantage of the precautions they offer to help protect against identity theft,” said Gene Evans, communications director for DHS.
Those with questions are encouraged to call the hotline at 1-855-360-4554, extension 0, to speak with a local DHS staff member. The “Defend Yourself Against Identity Theft” brochure is available online at www.oregon.gov/dhs.