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    • Up to 40,000 people could be victims of a computer attack in Wichita County
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    Up to 40,000 people could be victims of a computer attack in Wichita County

    Online Niel Posted on

    Wichita County Judge Jim Johnson said up to 40,000 people may have been victims of a major cyber security breach the county experienced in May.

    Many county residents recently received letters warning them that their private information may have been hacked.

    Following the May 7 breach, the county hired an independent team to conduct a comprehensive review of all data involved. By Sept. 3, the county learned that certain personal information may have been accessed or purchased by an “unauthorized individual.”

    More: Wichita County warns that people’s personal data may be affected by the cyber attack

    On Oct. 22, the county sent notices to people who may have been affected, informing them of steps they could take to protect their information.

    Information the hacker may have obtained includes names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, driver’s license or other government identification numbers, passport numbers, financial account information, health insurance information, and information medical related to an individual’s treatment and/or mental or physical condition.

    The county advises potential victims to notify law enforcement of suspicious activity on their financial accounts, obtain a copy of their credit reports from the major credit reporting agencies, place a fraud alert on their credit reports or consider freezing their credit report.

    The county acknowledged that it could not reach all possible victims by mail and has set up a call center at 866-421-6290, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time. A web address is response.idx.us/WichitaCountyTexas.

    Johnson said so far the county has no evidence of misuse or attempted misuse of personal information.

    He said the county has been working with outside experts and law enforcement, but has no information on the status of investigations or legal actions.

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    More: Reward offered in Wichita Falls murder case

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