A “malicious actor” used compromised credentials to access Florida driver license and motor vehicle records on Sept. 4, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) says. The department’s announcement came more than a month later.
The department says it moved quickly to contain the activity and secure its systems. An ongoing investigation with the Florida Digital Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement found that the potentially affected information includes driver license and motor vehicle data, document images and other personal information. FLHSMV did not say how many people were affected or how the credentials were compromised.
FLHSMV says it has no evidence that any of the information has been misused.
The department will mail letters to current driver license and ID card holders who may be affected. It has also partnered with Sontiq, a TransUnion company, to offer one year of free identity and credit monitoring and $1 million in identity theft insurance. Because it may lack current addresses for people who no longer hold a valid Florida license or ID, or who once had a vehicle titled in Florida, FLHSMV is also publishing a public notice under state law.
The department recommends that anyone who may be affected take these steps:
- Check statements. Review account statements and credit reports for suspicious activity.
- Watch accounts. Monitor financial and online accounts.
- Consider a freeze. Place a fraud alert or security freeze with the major credit bureaus.
- Use federal resources. The Federal Trade Commission has guidance at IdentityTheft.gov/databreach.
Get free credit reports from the three nationwide agencies at AnnualCreditReport.com or 1-877-322-8228. You can reach the bureaus directly at Equifax at 800-525-6285, Experian at 888-397-3742, and TransUnion at 800-680-7289. The department’s website and FAQs are at FLHSMV.gov/DataBreach, and you can email questions to customerinquiry@flhsmv.gov.
For residents, the practical burden falls on individuals. Whatever safeguards the state has, license holders must monitor their own credit and accounts. The breach also raises a broader question about how much personal data government agencies should hold and who is accountable when it is exposed.
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