SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials hope to begin selling licenses and tags online again within the next few days. Active Network, the application owner and operator of the system, today told ODFW that the system is undergoing final security testing.
Last week, network security specialists identified and patched all vulnerabilities after unauthorized access of the system was discovered on Aug. 23, 2016. Investigations by Active Network and the state of Oregon's Enterprise Security Office (ESO) found that social security numbers and credit card information were not exposed, but that driver license numbers were accessed as well as name, gender, date-of-birth, address, telephone and email.
"Early investigations did not reveal evidence that personal information had been accessed. However, working with our security partners, we were able to deepen our investigation and confirm that it had," said Doug Juergensen, Information System Division administrator for the agency.
In response, Active Network has informed ODFW that, as an added precaution, it will soon be notifying individuals whose data may have been compromised as a result of the attempted unauthorized access. Notices will be sent by mail and other details will be announced later.
"We understand the inconvenience, frustration and anxiety this incident has caused for our customers, specifically in terms of security of their personal information" said Bill Herber, ODFW Deputy Director for Administration. "Our focus now is to help our customers work through this."
Licenses and tags can still be purchased at more than 500 businesses statewide and also at ODFW offices. These computer terminals used to sell licenses and tags at businesses and ODFW offices are separate from the online system.
Bird hunters who need to apply for upcoming fall turkey and wildlife area reservation hunts can also apply at any business or ODFW office that sells license or by mail or fax order using the application found atwww.odfw.com (upcoming application deadlines are Sept. 10 for Klamath Wildlife Area Miller Island opening day; Sept. 13 for controlled fall turkey; and Sept. 17 for Sauvie Island hunt period A.).
Anyone who wants to register for an outdoor skills or hunter education class or for one of the upcoming special pheasant hunts for kids can also do so at a business or ODFW office that sells licenses.
What happened? ODFW confirmed on Tuesday, Aug 23 that there was an unauthorized access of the online hunting and fishing licensing application. The online computer license sales system is owned and operated by Active Network, a Texas-based company.
Who was affected? Oregon residents and nonresidents who started buying hunting and fishing licenses and tags before Sept. 2007. Those who made their first license purchase after September 2007 are not at risk.
Was my information stolen? We may not be able to know for sure. ODFW and Active Network have not received any reports of misuse of personal information related to this reported threat. Social security numbers and credit card information were not exposed. Credit card information is not kept in the Active Network licensing system and ODFW, through a Department of Treasury contract, uses U.S. Bank to securely manage credit card transactions.
What should I do? Active Network has said they will soon be contacting affected customers by mail whose data may have been compromised by the unlawful access of the online system. In the meantime, ODFW recommends license buyers assume their information was accessed and monitor their financial accounts and credit history for any signs of suspicious activity.
Here's how to do it:
- The Federal Trade Commission has a website to help you learn more about identify theft and prevention at www.consumer.gov/idtheft
- Review your bank, credit card and debit card account statements and immediately report any suspicious activity to your bank, credit union or Credit Card Company.
- Monitor your credit reports with major credit reporting agencies such as:
- Equifax, www.equifax.com, (800) 685-1111.
- Experian, www.experian.com, (888) 397-3742.
- Transunion, www.transunion.com, (800) 916-8800.
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