FEMA Improperly Released Personal Information of 2.3 Million Disaster Victims

science

science / science 316 Views comments

FEMA Improperly Released Personal Information of 2.3 Million Disaster VictimsPersonal details including individuals’ home addresses and bank account numbers -- data that exposes victims to potential identity theft and fraud -- were improperly given to a contractor hired by FEMA to provide temporary housing to victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and California wildfires in 2017, according to a memo released on Friday by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. FEMA provided more information than necessary to the vendor and has since taken steps to correct the error, FEMA spokeswoman Lizzie Litzow said in an emailed statement. In addition, there’s no indication that any of the 2.3 million people’s personal data has been compromised, she said.


Comments