Washington State Social Services Data Exposed by Former Employee

The Washington Department of Social and Health Services discovered that a former employee looked at personal information they were not supposed to see. This happened in March and affected around 8,600 people. The department found this problem during an internal investigation. If you or a family member received services from Washington DSHS, your personal data may have been viewed without authorization. This could include your name, address, and other details you provided when applying for or receiving state services. The breach affected approximately 8,600 individuals.

Here is what you should do right now:

1. Watch your mail for an official notice from DSHS. They are required to inform affected individuals.
2. Check your credit reports for any suspicious activity. You can get free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
3. Be alert for unexpected emails or phone calls asking for personal information. Scammers sometimes use breached data to make their fake messages more convincing.
4. If you receive a notice from DSHS, follow any specific instructions they provide about protecting your information. When you work with any government agency or healthcare provider, ask what protections they have for your data. Consider freezing your credit if you are not planning to apply for loans or credit cards soon. A credit freeze is free and stops criminals from opening accounts in your name. You can always unfreeze it temporarily when needed.