Following an investigation that found personal information was stolen during a ransomware assault that brought down the city’s networks almost two years ago, Hayward officials said they are informing residents.
“City of Hayward is providing individuals with information about the incident and making certain services available to those who are involved,” the statement stated, adding that “significant measures” are being taken to protect personal information. The statement was posted on the city’s website on Monday.
City employees were informed of the attack on July 9, 2023, when “intruders attempted to disrupt and hold hostage aspects and components of our computer systems and networks.”
As a result, the city’s computer network remained unavailable for over two weeks, and a City officials proclaimed a state of emergency.
In order to ascertain whether data was compromised, the city conducted an investigation after the attack and enlisted outside cybersecurity specialists. According to officials, they discovered that files holding private data had been stolen on December 30, 2024.
Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, bank account and credit card numbers, driver’s licenses, official identification documents, medical information, and insurance details are among the data that is impacted. According to officials, not all affected individual’s data components were compromised.
According to the city, they are not aware of any instances of money or identity fraud related to the attack.
According to officials, the city started mailing out notifications to impacted residents on January 29 “out of an abundance of caution.” The city added that free credit monitoring services are also being provided to those whose Social Security numbers were affected.
Additionally, anyone impacted by the incident are being advised to seek free credit reports and to put a fraud alert or security freeze on their credit files.
Hayward city authorities have been contacted by CBS News Bay Area for comment.
Call the city’s response line at 833-251-9665 if you have any concerns regarding the incident or are attempting to find out if you were impacted. With the exception of holidays, the phone is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.