Attorneys Receiving Individual Notification of Social Security Number Compromise in Recent WV State Bar Data Breach

Individual attorneys began receiving notices this afternoon that their social security numbers we involved in the resent breach of the WV State Bar website and other computer system.

Important Notice to Members Regarding Social Security Information

From:
The West Virginia State Bar
2006 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25311-2204


The West Virginia State Bar has learned that there are two sets of persons whose Social Security numbers were contained on its computer system, which was recently hacked.　The first group of persons are those who recently completed applications to receive the new West Virginia State Bar photo ID card.　 Those persons included their Social Security numbers on the application forms, which were sent to Cheryl Wright at The State Bar, scanned into The State Bar's computer system, and e-mailed or faxed back to the requesting members.

　　
The other group of persons whose Social Security numbers were contained on The State Bar's computer system are those who provided their Social Security numbers to The State Bar at some point in time during their membership tenure.　These Social Security numbers existed on The State Bar's membership database along with the members' names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and dates of admittance.　It was not until late in the day on May 4, 2009, that The State Bar's retained experts were able to retrieve this information.　


Unfortunately, you are receiving this email because you are among one or both of these groups of people.　Although, as has been explained in the two prior notices, The State Bar has received no evidence or reports of any identity theft, fraud or other unauthorized use of any member's personal information, because your Social Security number was contained on The State Bar's computer system, there is a possibility that it may have been viewed by the hackers.　


The West Virginia State Bar has notified the three major credit reporting agencies of this potential security breach and is working with the FBI to identify the person(s) or entity(s) responsible.　 If you have any evidence that your personal information has been compromised, please contact The West Virginia State Bar immediately.　 In addition, you also may wish to contact the major credit reporting agencies to ask that a fraud alert be placed in your file to notify potential creditors and others that you may be a victim of identity theft.　The contact information for the credit reporting agencies is as follows:

Equifax Information Services
PO Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
1-877-576-5734
www.fraudalerts.equifax.com

　
Experian
NCAC
PO Box 9556
Allen, TX 750131-888-397-3742
www.experian.com/fraud

　
TransUnion
Customer Disclosure Center
TransUnion Consumer Relations
PO Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
1-800-680-7289
www.transunion.com


The West Virginia State Bar deeply regrets any concern or stress that this has caused you.　If you have any additional questions, please send them to Anita Casey, Executive Director of The West Virginia State Bar.　Ms. Casey will work with The State Bar's Ad Hoc Technology Committee to respond to your questions as quickly as possible.