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Lexis-Nexis Database Hacked, Customer Files Accessed

By Jeralyn, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Wed Mar 09, 2005 at 11:01:50 AM EST
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Choice Point is not alone. LexisNexis, through its parent company, Reed Elsevier, announced today that a database it acquired from Seisint has been hacked and up to 32,000 files with personal information have been breached.

Federal and company investigators were looking into the breach at Seisint, which was recently acquired by Lexis Nexis and includes millions of personal files for use by such customers as police and legal professionals. Information accessed included names, addresses, Social Security and driver's license numbers, but not credit history, medical records or financial information, corporate parent Reed Elsevier Group PLC said in a statement.

Reed-Elsevier's statement is here.

The incidents arose from the misappropriation by third parties of IDs and passwords from legitimate customers. LexisNexis has notified law enforcement authorities and is proactively assisting in law enforcement investigations of these incidents.LexisNexis is also working with customers to enhance security procedures.

Information on approximately 32,000 individuals may have been fraudulently accessed in these incidents. LexisNexis very much regrets this and will be notifying all the individuals concerned and providing them with ongoing credit monitoring and practical support to ensure that any identity theft is quickly detected and addressed. Any further instances that emerge from the ongoing review will likewise be handled as quickly and as sensitively as possible. The information accessed includes names, addresses, social security and drivers’ license numbers, but not credit history, medical records or financial information.

LexisNexis has already taken, or will take actions to enhance security to enable it to maintain its position as an industry leader in the responsible use of data and the protection of individual privacy. These actions include: enhancing ID and password administration procedures and requirements for customers; dedicating additional resources to protection of consumer privacy; working with customers to reinforce the importance of consumers’ privacy; and working with law enforcement for further insight and assistance on new practices and techniques for thwarting criminal activities.

Full disclosure: I serve on the LexisNexis and Martindale Hubbell (also owned by Reed Elsevier) Legal Advisory Board and receive compensation from them for other projects. They are my favorite companies in the world. Their concern for their customers and commitment to excellence are extraordinary. I have no doubt they will go the extra mile to make it up to anyone whose privacy has been breached.

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    Lexis-Nexis Database Hacked, Customer Files Accessed | 2 comments (2 topical)
    Re: Lexis-Nexis Database Hacked, Customer Files A (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Mar 09, 2005 at 12:36:14 PM EST
    I was one of the people whose information was compromised by ChoicePoint. What did they offer? A letter saying how they aren't at fault, a free credit report and an "introductory" subscription to their pricey credit monitoring service. In other words, nothing-- I already get a free credit report by law, and they already have introductory deals on their subscriptions that they use as a sales tool. And their non-apology letter was an insult. Here's hoping L-N does a better job than that (not that it would be hard to).

    Re: Lexis-Nexis Database Hacked, Customer Files A (none / 0) (#2)
    by Patrick on Wed Mar 09, 2005 at 01:06:30 PM EST
    There aren't too many people who's information isn't in Lexis-nexus. That's huge!

    Lexis-Nexis Database Hacked, Customer Files Accessed | 2 comments (2 topical)