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Update: As CDSS continues to investigate the IHSS security breach, UDW is urging the state to take additional steps to protect providers and clients who may have had their personal data compromised. UDW President Laura Reyes said: “We are working with the state to find ways to protect providers and clients and to prevent incidents like this from happening again.”
UDW has called for the State Legislature to investigate the IHSS security breach. Here is the statement from UDW Executive Director Doug Moore:
“We are working hard to notify our members and their IHSS recipients about this serious security breach. At the same time, we are dismayed by the revelation that confidential IHSS payroll information is being stored on non-encrypted microfiche tape. It is shocking that a large state like California would use such antiquated procedures to maintain confidential personal information–especially in this time of increasing identity theft.
“Therefore, we urge the State Legislature to launch an immediate investigation into the security protocols at CDSS and at other state government departments and outside vendors that handle confidential personal information.”
UDW was notified on May 11 by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) of a potential loss of IHSS payroll data which could possibly affect all IHSS providers and recipients.
A data shipment of October-December IHSS payroll information by CDSS was reported missing. The missing information included: IHSS provider names, Social Security numbers, IHSS case numbers, IHSS provider numbers, wages, and the IHSS recipient’s state employer identification numbers. CDSS has not yet determined how many providers and recipients may have been affected.
CDSS has established a toll free telephone number–(888) 362-8947– for providers and recipients to call to obtain additional information. Information is also available on the CDSS web site: www.cdss.ca.gov.
Communications from CDSS regarding this incident:
- Letter to all IHSS Providers (pdf 146 KB)
- Letter to all IHSS Recipients (pdf 129 KB)
- Privacy Protection Recommendations (pdf 129 KB)
- Translation (Language) Assistance (pdf 90 KB)
Has toll free phone numbers for interpretation services.
URGENT: Please share the above information with your consumers and others in the IHSS community—especially those who do not have computer access.
CDSS and UDW recommend that all IHSS providers place a fraud alert on their accounts with the three major U.S. credit reporting agencies, get copies of their credit reports and take other appropriate steps to monitor and protect their identities. For more information on protecting your identities, go to www.privacy.ca.gov
URGENT: Please share the above information with your consumers and others in the IHSS community—especially those who do not have computer access.
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