HUNTING/FISHING --  Active Network, the Texas-based company that owns and operates hunting and fishing license systems for several states, is offering identity theft services to license buyers whose personal information may have been compromised by a hacker's attempt last month to access the online license system.

The offer, announced today,  is for consumers who purchased or applied for hunting and fishing licenses, through systems operated by ACTIVEOutdoors, in Washington prior to July 2006 and Oregon and Idaho prior to July 2007. The company says it will notify those potentially affected.

More than 2 million hunters and fishermen apparently are involved through Washington's license sales alone.

The services include:

• Two years of free identity protection and restoration services.
• A website established for people to check to see if their information was potentially impacted, receive instructions on how to access identity protection, and restoration services, and receive tips to protect against identity theft.  The website will go live on Sept. 19, 2016, at 7 a.m. 
• A toll free call center for questions about the incident or the identity protection services provided, (855) 260-2772 and will be available starting Sept. 19 at 7 a.m.

On Monday, the company says it will mail out notices to all license buyers potentially affected by the data breach.  The notices include information about what happened and the steps outlined above to protect customers from identity theft.

“We are pleased that Active Network has taken these steps to help our sportsmen and women potentially affected by the incident,” said Michael Pearson, Idaho Fish and Game administration chief.  “We are continuing to work with Active to maintain secure purchasing options.”

All license sales were halted last month in response to the discovery of a vulnerability in an outside vendor’s system that was recently exploited to expose personal information about customers in several states, including Washington, Idaho and Oregon.

Online license purchasing systems remain shut down until officials are comfortable with the security measures taken.   

Washington has resumed the sale of fishing and hunting licenses and the state Discover Pass through its network of about 600 dealers across the state, and by phone at (360) 902-2464.

Idaho licenses and tags can be purchased at dealers, regional offices and by telephone, (800) 554-8685.