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Breach in Texas comptroller's office exposes 3.5 million Social Security ...

AUSTIN — Social Security numbers and other personal information for 3.5 million people were inadvertently disclosed on a publicly accessible state computer server for a year or longer, Comptroller Susan Combs revealed Monday.

The information breach — believed to be the most extensive ever in Texas and one of the largest of its kind nationally — included names, addresses and Social Security numbers of all those on the list. In some cases, dates of birth and driver’s license numbers were also listed.

Aides to Combs declined to say whether anyone had downloaded large amounts of the data, but they said there was no evidence any of it had been used to commit identity theft.

The Texas attorney general’s office and the FBI have launched a criminal investigation.

An undisclosed number of employees in the comptroller’s office were fired after the breach was discovered at the end of March, said agency spokesman R.J. DeSilva. He said personnel policies prevent him from saying who or how many lost their jobs.

Combs expressed regret and anger over the incident.

“We take information security very seriously, and this type of exposure will not happen again,” she said in a written statement.

The breach was discovered less than two weeks ago when other folders were being scanned in the server, DeSilva said.

The information was data from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas covering 1.2 million education employees and retirees that was transferred to the comptroller’s office in January 2010; Texas Workforce Commission records on 2 million people that was transferred in April 2010; and Employees Retirement System of Texas data covering 281,000 state employees and retirees, transferred in May 2010.

Data from the state employee retirement system covered current and former state agency employees with benefits and retired state employees who were in the system in April 2010.

State law required the information to be sent to the comptroller for use in verifying unclaimed property records, Combs said.

As soon as the problem was discovered, the information was sealed from public access and moved to a secure location, Combs said.

The agency is sending out letters beginning Wednesday to notify many of the people whose information was available and is setting up an informational website at www.TXsafeguard.org and a toll-free phone line at 1-855-474-2065.

Sometimes identity thieves wait months to use personal information so they won’t be easily tracked, said Wayne Ivey, a law enforcement veteran and trainer for LifeLock Inc., which offers seminars with the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

HSBC Credit LINE INCREASE – HOW DO GO ABOUT IT?

When I opened my HSBC savings and called them regarding a question I had about bank to bank transfer, the CR said I had been approved for a 12 month 0% balance transfer offer. He said he would transfer me to the credit card dept for further details. I got cut off and I went online and applied for the HSBC Mastercard. I was instantly approved with a CL of $15K. I thought it was $1,500.00 LOL and later when I went through the whole process and printed out my results, I noted I was approved for $15K and not $1,500. My balance transfer went very smooth too.

I am very pleased with my relationship with HSBC. They post my savings deposits within 2 days and I am fortunate to live within a few blocks of their branch office. Another added benefit is they are open 7 days a week…..Sun 11A-3:00P….both lobby and drive-in!

I’ve never asked for a credit limit increase from Household Bank (for my GM card) but it usually goes up on its own every 18 months to 2 years. I can’t remember what limit I started with ($7,000 or so) and, now, after nine years, it’s well over $20,000.

In my experience, credit limit increases come more readily when I run up a huge balance and pay it off. I also like to mix up my usage, carrying a balance some months or none at all other months. I try to demonstrate that I can handle credit, that I’m able to make large payments, and yet dumb, neglectful, or apathetic enough to pay interest on occasion. (virtues of a good customer)

In the short run, I realize carrying a balance isn’t a good thing but it makes you a “better customer” in the credit card company’s eyes. This, in turn, may translate into better offers and credit limit increases. And sometimes, for those of us who must carry a balance, a credit limit increase equals better deals and lower rates.

The best way not to get a credit limit increase is to run up a high balance and make a series of minimum payments. Having high overall utilization is another CLI killer too. And, of course, never be late or over the limit.

The more you look like you don’t need a credit limit increase, the more likely you are to get one.