Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office reports data breach involving Social Security numbers, personal information
NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — The Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office has disclosed a data breach in which an unauthorized individual accessed its computer network and potentially obtained sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers and driver’s license information.
In a notice issued Friday, Nov. 6, the prosecutor’s office said an investigation determined that someone accessed its network without authorization between July 15 and July 22, 2026. The office first received alerts about a disruption to its computer network around Aug. 10 and immediately launched an investigation with assistance from outside cybersecurity specialists.
According to the prosecutor’s office, investigators determined that certain files containing personal information were accessed and may have been acquired during the incident. The information varied by individual but included first and last names, Social Security numbers and driver’s license or state-issued identification card numbers.
Officials did not disclose how many people were affected, who was responsible for the unauthorized access or whether any of the information had been used fraudulently.
The prosecutor’s office said it has taken steps to secure its computer systems and strengthen existing security measures following the incident. State and federal law enforcement agencies, the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General have also been notified.
In addition, the prosecutor’s office established a dedicated call center to answer questions from individuals who may have been affected by the incident.
Residents urged to monitor personal information
Officials are encouraging individuals to remain vigilant for potential identity theft and fraud by regularly reviewing financial account statements, credit reports and other records for suspicious activity or errors. Anyone who notices unauthorized transactions, unfamiliar accounts or other unusual activity should promptly contact their financial institution or service provider.
Individuals can obtain free credit reports from the three major credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — through www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228. Consumers are encouraged to review their reports for discrepancies, including accounts they did not open or inquiries from creditors they did not authorize.
The prosecutor’s office also advised individuals to consider placing fraud alerts or credit freezes on their credit files. A fraud alert notifies potential creditors that an individual may be at risk of identity theft and encourages additional verification before new credit accounts are opened. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and can be placed at no cost.
A credit freeze restricts access to a person’s credit report, making it more difficult for someone to open new credit accounts using stolen personal information. Under federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze, although a freeze may delay the approval of legitimate applications for credit, loans or other financial services.
Individuals seeking a fraud alert or credit freeze can contact the three major credit reporting agencies:
- Equifax: 888-298-0045 or www.equifax.com
- Experian: 888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
- TransUnion: 800-680-7289 or www.transunion.com
Officials also encouraged anyone who believes their personal information has been misused to report suspected identity theft to local law enforcement, the state attorney general’s office and the Federal Trade Commission. Identity theft complaints can be submitted to the FTC at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or by calling 877-438-4338.
Consumers also have rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, including the ability to review information in their credit files, dispute incomplete or inaccurate information and request corrections or deletions of information that cannot be verified. Additional information about consumer rights and identity theft protection is available at www.ftc.gov.
Dedicated assistance available
The Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office has established a professional call center to provide additional information and assistance regarding the data privacy incident. Individuals with questions can call 888-269-1448, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time.
The prosecutor’s office said the notification was not delayed by law enforcement. The notice did not provide additional details about the unauthorized access or the number of individuals potentially affected.
