Your personal information could have been mistakenly exposed.
A person's identity is perhaps one of the most important and precious things one has. Having personal information disclosed can make for nightmares and financial woes.
Today, the Texas Comptroller's office will begin sending letters to tell people their personal information was mistakenly disclosed on an agency server that was accessible to the public.
The Comptroller's office says the records of three and a half million people were placed on the server with personally identifying information.
"I deeply regret the exposure of the personal information that occurred and am angry that it happened," Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said. "I want to reassure people that the information was sealed off from any public access immediately after the mistake was discovered and was then moved to a secure location. We take information security very seriously and this type of exposure will not happen again."
Those records included names, mailing addresses and Social Security numbers. The records may even have other information such as dates of birth or driver's license numbers.
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission and the Employees Retirement System of Texas transferred the data.
According to a release, the Comptroller's office incorrectly allowed exposure of the data and many internal procedures were not followed.
A website has been set up for individuals at www.TXsafeguard.org to provide details and recommended steps to protect your identity. Also, a special toll free phone line is available for people to call. Open 24 hours a day, the number is 1-855-474-2065.
