Dustin Vande Hoef
Communications Director
515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell)
or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov
DES MOINES – A computer and protective case has been stolen from a locked state vehicle of an Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship employee. This theft has placed at risk the personal information of Iowans that are participating in the Department’s Horse and Dog Breeding Program. Through this program the Department provides financial awards to breeders of successful Iowa born racing greyhounds and racehorses at the close of each racing season.
On Thursday, July 22, the state vehicle used by an employee of the Department’s Horse and Dog Breeding Program was broken into in the State of Iowa parking ramp at the corner of Grand Avenue and Pennsylvania in Des Moines. While the computer did have an encryption protection, there is concern that unauthorized access could be gained to the names, address, phone number and social security number of 3,404 Iowans who participate in the Iowa Horse and Dog Breeding Program.
As a result of this security breach, the Department is encouraging potentially affected Iowans to place a fraud victim alert on your credit report by contacting the following credit reporting companies. A letter will be mailed tomorrow to all those potentially affected.
In addition, Iowans can obtain a free annual copy of your credit report by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com, or calling toll-free 1-877-322-8228.
The Department is working with the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of the Iowa State Patrol to investigate the incident and find the stolen laptop.
“The Department takes our responsibility very seriously to protect the personal information of Iowans who utilize our programs,” said Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “We are moving as quickly and aggressively as possible to retrieve this information and reach out to potentially affected Iowans so they can step-up their efforts to protect their personal information.”
Equifax will offer an extended fraud alert at no charge if certain conditions are met. An extended fraud alert is similar to an initial 90 day alert, except that it lasts for 7 years, and to verify your request a creditor must contact you on the telephone number(s) you provide to Equifax when you requested the extended fraud alert. A valid police report showing that you have been a victim of identity theft is required to place an extended fraud alert. Also, you may request two additional free credit file disclosures, and your name is removed from prescreened offers of credit or insurance for 5 years.
Below is the link to obtain the form to complete. You will also need to include the law enforcement letter and the additional information required on the form.
Download an extended fraud alert request form.
