Alerts

January 28, 2010 - Data Privacy Day
A Proclamation by the Governor of the State of Wisconsin (1 page PDF)

November 9, 2009 - Are You Complying with the Red Flags Rule?
The Red Flags Rule requires many businesses and organizations to implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program designed to detect the warning signs – or "red flags" – of identity theft in their day-to-day operations. Are you covered by the Red Flags Rule? Read Fighting Fraud with the Red Flags Rule: A How-To Guide for Business to:

http://www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule

October 27, 2009 - Security Alert from DOA-DET-FDIC Email Scam
We have been alerted by the U.S Treasury that there are significant numbers of fraudulent email claiming to be from the FDIC.  Read more>>

October, 2009
Shred Fest 2009 Poster (1 page PDF)

September 10, 2009
Cyber Crime Public Service Announcement (Windows Media Video)

January 23, 2009 - MEDIA ALERT - Phishing Attack
Statement from Marshfield Savings Bank and Forward Financial Bank, a branch of Marshfield Savings Bank regarding a text message scam:

Marshfield Savings Bank has learned that during the past 24-hours some of our customers, as well as non-customers in Wisconsin have been receiving phishing text messages that appear to be from Marshfield Savings/Forward Financial Bank. They are NOT from Marshfield Savings or Forward Financial – they are being sent by scammers. Read more>>

September 29, 2008 - October is Cyber Security Awareness Month
Governor Jim Doyle has proclaimed October 2008 “National Cyber Security Awareness Month.”

The Fifth Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month is a collective effort among the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the National Cyber Security Division and the National Cyber Security Alliance to raise cyber security awareness nationwide and empower citizens, businesses, government and schools to improve their cyber security preparedness and help promote a safe Internet experience. Read more>>

May 29, 2008 - TransUnion Class Action Settlement
On May 29, 2008, TransUnion announced that it will begin providing eligible U.S. consumers with up to nine months of free credit monitoring and related services.

Those eligible are all individuals who had an open credit account or an open line of credit from a credit grantor (including, for instance automobile loans, bank credit cards, department store credit cards, other retail store credit cards, finance company loans, mortgage loans, and student loans) located in the United States anytime from January 1, 1987 to May 28, 2008.

To receive credit monitoring and related services from the settlement, Class members must go to www.ListClassAction.com. The settlement administrator expects to have this site accessible to the public no later than June 16, 2008. Read more>>

May 5, 2008 - TJX Class Action Settlement Notification
A settlement has been reached with the TJX Companies, Inc and Fifth Third Bancorp in a class action lawsuit about computer system intrusions into personal and financial information at TJX retail stores. The settlement provides benefits to those shoppers who may have been damaged in some way. Read on to learn more about how to claim your benefit. Read more>>

November 1, 2007
Equifax Customer Alert: Phishing Attempts Detected on Equifax Customers. If you received an e-mail that appears to be from Equifax and requests personal information, please do not respond and delete the e-mail immediately. If you did respond to an e-mail that appears to have been from Equifax, and you provided personal information, such as your user ID and password, please let us know by following the “Contact Us” links from www.equifax.com so we can assist you further. Read more>>

October 31, 2007
Please be advised there is a spoof email circulating that gives the appearance that it is from the FTC. It contains a virus that installs a key logger onto your computer. Read more>>

May 3, 2007
Over 600 patients from Bellin Health Family Medical Center have been affected by a data breach. The breach was discovered by Green Bay Law Enforcement and was reported to Bellin in mid March 2007. Individuals affected have been notified as of May 3, 2007 via letter.
Read more>>

April 23, 2007
The US Department of Agriculture has announced today that over 63,000 recipients of federal farm loans have been involved in a data breach that was discovered on April 13, 2007. The individual's names, addresses and social security numbers were released to a public website by the US Census Bureau. Read more>>

January 17, 2007
Hackers broke into a system that stores financial information for consumers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Overall, potentially millions of consumers that shop at any of the TJX affiliate stores and pay by debit or credit card may be at risk. Individuals that have provided personal information for the purpose of merchandise return are also vulnerable. TJX Companies operating in Wisconsin are T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and A.J. Wright. Read more >>

January 1, 2007
170,000 Wisconsin taxpayers who filed returns with their spouse in 2005 by mail using the “long form,” WI Form 1, were notified that their 2006 tax forms have been mailed out with social security numbers visibly printed on the front.  Those who filed their forms with professional tax preparers, filed different forms, or e-filed were not affected. Read more >>

November 11, 2006
The Agency has received several reports of an email message being circulated with the subject “Cost-of-Living for 2007 update” and purporting to be from the Social Security Administration. The message provides information about the 3.3 percent benefit increase for 2007 and contains the following “NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information. If this is not completed by November 11, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely.” The reader is then directed to a website designed to look like Social Security’s Internet website. Read more >>

August 24, 2006
The U.S. Department of Education announced that the personally identifying information of any person who logged on to the Federal Direct Student Loan website between 9:16 p.m. on Sunday, August 20 and 10:16 a.m. on Tuesday, August 22 may have been disclosed to others. Read more >>

August 15, 2006
On August 15, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued a special alert about fraudulent e-mails that claim to be from the FDIC.  The e-mails to financial institution customers that fraudulently claim to be from the DFIC attempt to obtain highly sensitive personal information, including bank account information.  These e-mails falsely indicate that consumers can enroll in an “FDIC protection system” to insure bank accounts against certain types of fraudulent activities. Read more >>

August 14, 2006
AOL releases unfiltered search histories of 657,000 Plus users
On Monday, August 7, 2006 AOL apologized for releasing three months’ worth of detailed search queries of 657,000-plus of its users.  The information posted on AOLs research web site contained approximately 20 million search queries and additional data on user’s click-throughs to web sites in the search results.  The search results are generally highly revealing of individuals’ personal, financial, political, medical, religious, and other preferences as well as the businesses and people they associate with. Read more >>

May 24, 2006
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has reported that the personal information of 26.5 million veterans has been stolen. If you're worried about identity theft, find out what you can do to protect yourself. Read more >>  (press release from the Governor's Office)

Fact Sheet:  If You Are a Veteran Concerned About Identity Theft