14 DAY TRIAL // Not all data breaches are caused by hackers. With all this sensitive information flying around, even a misalignment of printing can expose the personal details of tens of thousands of individuals.
A perfect example is a recent incident from North Carolina.
Officials are warning around 26,000 former government employees that their social security numbers (SSNs) might have been exposed when the N.C. Department of State Treasurer’s Retirement Systems Division sent them envelopes back in January.
“Social Security numbers were potentially displayed in the window of the envelope due to a misalignment of printing. The issue was brought to the Department’s attention by a retiree,” said an agency spokeswoman, cited by News Observer.
There’s no evidence that the information was misused, but potential victims are advised to keep an eye out for any signs of identity theft. The impacted individuals are being offered one free credit report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.