Data breaches are becoming more and more common these days. You hear about them in the news all the time. So you might be wondering: what exactly is a data breach? A data breach is when secure information is taken from a trusted environment without permission. The bad guys can use this information to steal your identity, hack into your online accounts, or use the information for targeted phishing attacks to gather even more information about you.

However, just because the data was exposed does not necessarily mean it’s already being used by the bad guys. It only means that bad guys can easily gain access to it. There are steps you can take to protect your information even if you were exposed in a data breach.

How do I protect my information?

• Use secure passwords. You may also want to try using a password manager.
• Set up two-factor or multi-factor authentication.
• Keep your personal information secure. Never share your passwords or personal information with anyone you don’t know. Shred documents with your personal information on it before throwing it away.

What do I do if my information was already exposed in a breach?

Don’t panic! Take a moment to assess the situation. Ask yourself: What sort of information was exposed? Do I need to notify my bank or other entities? What steps should I take to make my information more secure now?

• If your password was exposed, we recommend changing your password for all online accounts associated with that password immediately. Make sure the password is complex or use a password generator to create one for you. For extra security, you may want to set up two-factor or multi-factor authentication.
• If your credit card number or bank account number was exposed, we recommend calling your bank or cardholder and canceling your card(s) immediately. Let them know that your information was exposed so they know to look out for charges that may be fraudulent.
• If your social security number was exposed, immediately report that your social security number was stolen to the police, credit-reporting agencies, and the IRS. You may also want to sign up for a service that can monitor your identity or credit for added protection.

For more information, please email: kcitcsat@kingcounty.gov.

Last year, many employees were victims of unemployment fraud, which has resulted in some employees receiving 1099-G forms showing reported income from Washington State Employment Security Department. If you have received a 1099-G from the State of Washington and already reported the fraud, please follow the instructions provided at ESDWAGOV – Tax info for fraud victims.  

If you are just learning that you may have been a victim of unemployment fraud because you received a 1099-G, please also take the following steps:

1. Step One – Contact ESD

Complete a fraud report on the ESD secure site: Fraud reporting form

You will need to include the following information when you contact ESD:

• Your full name
• Last four digits of your Social Security number
• Your address, date of birth, and phone number
• Information on how you learned a claim was filed on your behalf

2. Step Two – Contact HR

• Please contact your Human Resources Manager as well as the Department of Human Resources’ unemployment coordinator Elizabeth Detels at edetels@kingcounty.gov. Please include a copy of the letter that was mailed to your home so that we can notify our third-party vendor, Employer’s Edge.

3. Step Three – Police report

• File an online or non-emergency report with the law enforcement agency whose jurisdiction you live in.
• Seattle residents can file an online report at the City of Seattle Online Reporting website.
• King County residents can file an online report at the King County Online Reporting website.
• Start keeping a file folder or journal with the information from this incident, including any case numbers. Some government services and accommodations are available to victims of identity theft that are not available to the general public, such as getting certain public records sealed.

4. Step Four – FTC Identity Theft report

• File an Identity Theft report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via their online form at www.identitytheft.gov.
• Review the materials available from the FTC about how to respond to, limit the damage from, and start recovering from identity theft. You can find useful and reassuring resources at the FTC Consumer Information Identity Theft site and www.identitytheft.gov.

5. Step Five – The three major credit bureaus

• Obtain your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.
• Report to the credit bureaus that the fraudulent claim was made using your identity and provide them with the case number from your police report. You can have a fraud alert put on your identity or freeze your credit. Doing either is free by law.
• A fraud alert is free and will make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. To place a fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus. That company must tell the other two.
• Equifax: 1-888-766-0008
  • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
• Check your credit activity at least once a year. As a victim of identity theft, you have the right to check it monthly if you choose.
• Credit Freeze – If you do not have upcoming large purchases, such as a home, you may want to freeze your credit for more protection. It is free, and you can do it yourself. Learn more at the FTC Consumer Identity Credit Freeze site.

6. Step Six – Keep your notes

• Hang on to any notes, copies of emails, etc. This is the paper trail that you can reference if you face any identity issues or locate inaccuracies on your credit history sometime in the future.

If you are a victim of identity fraud, please make sure you follow these steps. They may seem like more work than they are worth; however, they are crucial in helping you recover and combat this crime nationwide.

King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed February 2021 to be Black History Month in King County.

“King County acknowledges the long history of forced enslavement, and institutional and structural racism toward African Americans in the U.S. and its generational impacts, and has committed itself to make progress on Equity and Social Justice, reflecting its commitment to racially just policies and practices that create opportunities for all people to thrive,“ Executive Constantine said in his Proclamation.

“The scientific, technological, economic, political, and cultural innovations by Black Americans and African Americans have been essential to the progress of our nation and we will continue to honor these accomplishments every month and every day in Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., County, Washington State.” View the Executive’s proclamation below.

Snow is expected in our region this week, so now is a great time to ensure you are prepared for an emergency or inclement weather at home or work.  

Stay informed: Make sure you’re getting the latest King County information at work and at home in the event of inclement weather.

• Sign up for KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system. KCInform is used to reach County employees during an emergency with timely information about infrastructure disruptions, facility impacts, changes in your department’s business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email are already in the system. It is important to register your County-issued cell phone (if-applicable) and personal cell phone and email address to ensure you receive time-sensitive messages. This service is free and your personal contact information is secure and protected. To sign up, please contact kcinform@kingcounty.gov anytime or 206-296-3830 between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday to request your unique registration link. Visit the KCInform website to learn more or watch our short video.  
• Call the Employee Hotline—206-205-8600 (save it to your phone now!).
• Check your King County email for information on business operations, delays, and closures. Log on at http://outlook.kingcounty.gov. Some agencies may send additional instructions directly to their staff.
• Contact your supervisor for instructions.
• Follow King County on Twitter—@KingCountyWA, @kcmetrobus, @kcroads, and @kcemployees.
• Check your agency website or Intranet (if applicable) and monitor local media channels.
• Sign up for Metro Transit Alerts.
• Visit the Emergency News page at kcemergency.com for regional impacts.

Power outages: If you are teleworking and experience a power outage that affects your ability to effectively work remotely, please contact your supervisor to discuss other options for completing work tasks. These may include taking leave or working from your regular King County worksite.

HR Policies: When an agency remains open, but conditions prevent you from reporting to work or from reporting on time, notify your supervisor as soon as possible. You may request leave, subject to approval by your supervisor. If you have no leave accrued, your supervisor may approve leave without pay to cover absences. Sick leave may not be used. Refer to HR Bulletin 2011-0009 County Operations During Emergency Situations and Inclement Weather (Sheriff’s Office employees refer to KCSO Inclement Weather Policy; Superior Court and District Court employees please see check court policies). 

Prepare at home: Taking a few steps now to plan ahead will give you peace of mind and help you make good decisions in an emergency. 

• There are many online resources that you can use to make sure you and your family have what you need to Make it Through an emergency – from an extended power outage to a more severe event. Please take personal preparedness seriously. 

• If your child is attending school or daycare in-person, learn about their school or daycare policies and procedures for possible early release and facility closures. 
• Locate flashlights, radio, and extra batteries should you experience a power outage at home. 
• Store non-perishable meals for your family that don’t require a stove-top, microwave, or oven to prepare, and keep plenty of bottled water on hand. 
• Make sure pets have appropriate shelter to stay warm and safe. 
• Get more tips, utility contacts, and weather preparedness checklists at www.takewinterbystorm.org.  

Always have a plan if you need to commute in inclement weather, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making travel decisions. 

King County was recently awarded the Pro Patria award by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program. Three King County supervisors were also personally recognized by ESGR for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

During the special online presentation hosted by the Veteran and Military Affinity Group, Teia Tuifua, a supervisor with the Facilities Management Division of the Department of Executive Services, was presented an ESGR Patriot Award. He was nominated for the award by Ryan Nelson, a 17-year employee with King County and a 16-year Coast Guard Reservist. “This will be my fourth deployment,” Nelson said. “Teia has always been a huge support for me whenever I have to leave for deployments and trainings.”

Capt. Michael Allen and Sgt. Diane Richardson of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) were also presented ESGR Patriot Awards in January. Corrections Officer and Reservist Michelle Helpenstell, nominated them both for the award.

“I nominated both my Shift Captain and my Scheduling Sergeant for the Patriot Award,” said Michelle Helpenstell. “As a leader in my unit, there have been several times that I would be called up for one or two days. This usually happens when an emergency has occurred with one of the personnel that I supervise, from a suicide attempt to a death in their family. I have had to contact my Scheduling Sergeant and Shift Captain with little or no notice and they have been beyond understanding that I need to go and assist my subordinate. It is situations like these that make me appreciate King County.”

The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention boasts a large contingent of active and former military personnel in its workforce. Of more than 900 employees, at least 190 are veterans and more than two dozen have taken military leave during the past year.

“We know that these service members possess unique skills, ideas and perspectives,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said, “they bring a strong sense of duty” not only in civilian but in public service.

Supporting the National Guard and Reserve

Since 2015, 13 supervisors have been honored for their role in supporting their active duty King County employees.

Established in 1972, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve ESGR Patriot Awards promote cooperation between civilian employers and staff who serve in the military. The awards highlight special efforts supervisors make to support an employee’s military commitment.

An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for a Patriot Award. This distinction can reflect a wide range of assistance. This includes flexible schedules, time off before or after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

King County offers a range of supports to employees who are serving in the military, including 21 days of paid military leave annually for required military duties, and supplemental pay when called to active duty and training. In addition, medical benefits are not impacted by a uniformed services leave, and vacation and sick leave continue to accrue while employees are on uniformed services leave.

Read more about ESGR.