Long Beach notifies residents of data breach following 2023 cybersecurity incident

The city officials of Long Beach have begun notifying individuals whose personal information was potentially compromised in a cybersecurity breach that occurred in 2023, according to a statement released Monday. The notifications follow the completion of a months-long forensic investigation and document review that concluded on March 18.

Cybersecurity experts working with the city determined that an unauthorized actor may have illegally accessed or acquired sensitive files during the incident. While officials confirmed that there is no evidence of the stolen information being misused for identity theft or fraud, the city is proceeding with the notifications in compliance with legal requirements and as a precautionary measure.

“Data security is of the utmost importance, and we are committed to protecting the data that our community entrusts to us,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This has proven to be an unprecedented event for our organization, and we continue to take this investigation and its findings seriously. We will continue to be as transparent as we can, and we appreciate the patience and understanding from our community.”

The compromised files may have included a wide range of personal data, such as names in combination with other sensitive identifiers. These include, but are not limited to, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, financial and health insurance information, driver’s license and passport numbers, biometric and medical details, and taxpayer identification numbers. The nature and scope of the data varied from person to person, with not all categories of information affected in every case.

Notification letters began arriving by U.S. mail on Monday to those identified as potentially impacted. The letters include guidance on protective steps individuals can take, such as placing fraud alerts or credit freezes, monitoring financial accounts, and requesting free credit reports. Additionally, the city is offering complimentary credit monitoring services to anyone whose Social Security number may have been compromised.

“In general, people are encouraged to take precautionary measures to protect their information,” the city advised in its announcement. “Remaining vigilant in reviewing financial account statements and credit reports for fraudulent or irregular activity on a regular basis is also strongly recommended.”

The city has also established a toll-free, confidential hotline at 888-802-9667 to assist affected individuals. Operated by a dedicated call center team, the line is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding holidays. Officials emphasized that call center representatives will never ask for Social Security numbers or other sensitive personal information.