City of Wichita says social security numbers, other IDs compromised in cybersecurity breach

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The City of Wichita said Tuesday that between May 3-4, several pieces of identifying information were copied from its computer network without permission during this month’s cyberattack.

Information such as social security numbers, drivers licenses and other state identification card numbers and payment card information was taken from law enforcement and traffic information that also includes people’s names.

The City of Wichita has been stricken with a cyber security attack that has affected the payment of water bills, and a cybersecurity expert says recovery from the breach could cost millions. The attack happened on May 5, and there remains no timetable for when systems will be restored.

The city encourages people to monitor relevant accounts for fraud alerts by visiting sites such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The city said its technical teams “have been working around the clock” to resolve the issue and coordinating with law enforcement to further investigate.

Those concerned that their information might be exposed should stay calm, experts say.

“It’s important to understand that any information that is used fraudulently due to a data breach, you are not liable for,” explained Better Business Bureau of Midwest Plains Vice President of Operations Denise Groene

Groene said the first step everyone who’s done business with the Cit of Wichita should take is to place a freeze on all of their credit reports.

“It’s immediately going to have a freeze put into place to where no one can open up accounts using your personal information,” she said.

Experts say hackers like the ones targeting Wichita want to use that information as fast as possible.

“The fresher it is, the more valuable it is, just like produce,” said Fidelity Bank Information Security Officer Aaron Baker.

Baker said hackers want to sell your information before you can shut down your accounts.

“The goal is to take that information and if it’s going to be sold on a black market, on the dark web, anywhere like that, it’s going to happen quickly,” he said.

Baker agreed that you should freeze your credit but also advised taking further action.

“Contact their bank or their credit card companies,” he said. “And you need to close any of those accounts that you may have used as a payment source for anything that you’ve paid online with the city.”

With that, it’s critical to pay close attention to emails.

“(It is) very likely that customers are going to see fraudulent emails posing as a bank, posing as a financial institution, possibly even posing as the city,” Baker said. “Those are going to start to come very quickly.”

Moving forward, the BBB said it’s important to monitor your credit bureau reports and financial accounts that may have been impacted so you can report any fraudulent activity as soon as it’s detected.”

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