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Idaho, Washington fishing, hunting license buyers to be advised of data breach

Idaho Fish and Game Department logo (Courtesy photo)
Idaho Fish and Game Department logo (Courtesy photo)

UPDATE:  Washington also advised that its customers affected by the hack will be contacted by Active Network.

HUNTING-FISHING -- The company that operates Idaho Fish and Game Department’s online hunting and fishing license sales says it will send notices by mail to license holders whose personal information might have been compromised by a recent breach of the on-line system.

Fish and Game officials say Active Network informed the agency that the attempted access potentially affected license buyers who purchased a license before 2008. 

While license sales continued at license dealers and department offices, Fish and Game suspended operation of online license sales, and Active Network engaged an independent cyber security firm to conduct an investigation.  Fish and Game says that investigation is ongoing. 

"Online sales will resume after Fish and Game officials receive independent confirmation of site security," the agency says in a media release.

Washington Fish and Wildlife officials say about two million hunting and fishing license buyers may have been affected by the hacking.

"As of this afternoon, we expect that Active Network will notify affected Washington customers, and we are talking with them about the specific details so that we can accurately inform our license buyers as soon as possible," said Bruce Botka, department spokesman.

Idaho officials say they may not be able to discover who was affected by the breach. "An investigation may only be able to confirm that access of personal information was possible," the agency said.

Idaho Fish and Game recommends that potentially affected license buyers follow the advice of the Idaho Attorney General’s office and monitor their financial accounts and credit history for any signs of suspicious activity.

People noting suspicious activity in their accounts should call local police or sheriff’s offices and file a report of identity theft, Idaho officials say. "Get a copy of the police report. You may need to give copies of the report to creditors."



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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