The Washington Post reported that “Chinese hackers” are suspected of being behind the breach, and that it compromised information from more than 800,000 postal workers, including special agents assigned to the Post Office Inspector General’s office.
Chinese operatives reportedly are suspected of hacking the U.S. Postal Service, in a security breach that may have compromised personal information for more than 800,000 workers. The Postal Service confirmed the incident in a written statement, saying “personal information” that may have been obtained in the attack includes employees’ “names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, addresses, emergency contacts and other information.”
Basically everything you would need for identity theft.
The FBI and other federal agencies are investigating what is being described as one of the largest breaches of its kind. The Washington Post reported that “Chinese hackers” are suspected of being behind the breach, and that it compromised information from more than 800,000 postal workers.
The Post office refused to elaborate exactly on why they suspect the Chinese?
The hack reportedly was noticed in mid-September.
The Postal Service said in a statement on Monday that the intrusion was “limited in scope and all operations of the Postal Service are functioning normally.”
However USPS employees, retirees and staffers of the Postal Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and even the investigative arm of the Post Office – the “Postal Service Office of Inspector General” were also affected, according to sources.
See related video: Post office breach http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QSEb1T8CHE
These particular agents are considered law enforcement in many respect . They are called “Special agents” and are stationed in 100 offices nationwide conduct investigations in the following program areas:
- Contract Fraud
- Financial Fraud
- Healthcare Fraud
- Internal Mail Theft
- Official Misconduct
- Technical Investigations
- Special Inquiries
- Whistleblower/Reprisals
Special agents also investigate bribery, kickbacks, extortion, conflicts of interest, and allegations against Postal Service executives. In addition, the Office of Investigations combats fraud and theft through the Countermeasures Directorate’s crime prevention efforts.
“This compromised data consists of names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and other information for those customers who may have provided this information. At this time, we do not believe that potentially affected customers need to take any action as a result of this incident,” the agency said.
The Postal Service said its revenue systems—including at post offices and online—”weren’t compromised, and customers’ credit and debit card information weren’t affected.”
However, customers who called the Postal Service’s customer-care center between Jan. 1 and Aug. 16 may have had sensitive information—such as “names, addresses, telephone numbers and emails—compromised. Affected customers shouldn’t have to take any action”, the USPS said.
We contacted the Postal Service which refused comment on how the breach could affect the integrity of the postal system.
Officials refused comment as to the possibility this was an inside job.
The Post Office processes around 554 pieces of mail every single day.
The source of the attack is still under investigation.
See related article: US Post Office tracking your mail http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGhR1W8ddBc