AG: Security breach affects nearly 5,000 Nebraskans

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Attorney General Jon Bruning said Thursday the personal information of 4,892 Nebraskans may have been compromised following a security breach involving LexisNexis, a provider of legal, news and business information.

The company had originally notified the Attorney General's Office in March that 55 Nebraskans, among 32,000 people nationwide, may have been affected by the breach.

"It's devastating to know that thousands of Nebraskans, through no fault of their own, may become victims of one of the fastest growing crimes in the country," Bruning said. "The Department of Justice will do all it can to help these and all Nebraskans guard against identity theft."

London-based Reed Elsevier, which owns LexisNexis, said criminals may have breached computer files containing the personal information of 310,000 people since January 2003 by using the stolen identification and passwords of legitimate customers.

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Bruning

Bruning

Documents with information ranging from social security numbers to driver's license numbers may have been obtained.

LexisNexis is in the process of sending notification letters the Nebraskans affected and has agreed to provide the list of potential victims to the Nebraska Department of Justice, which will also contact them.

Also, LexisNexis has offered free support services to those individuals to monitor possible identity theft related fraud, including credit bureau reports, credit monitoring for one year and fraud insurance.

The company will also provide fraud counseling services or specialized assistance to individuals who have their identity stolen because of the breach.

For more information on identity theft, those interested can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (800) 727-6432, 402-471-2682 or visit www.ago.state.ne.us.