ST. CLOUD, Fla. – Residents of St. Cloud are alarmed after a recent data breach has put their personal information at risk.
The breach, which News 6 first reported last year, has raised significant concerns among the community.
Nelson Cologne, a disabled veteran visiting St. Cloud city hall to renew his plates, expressed his worries about the breach.
“I think it’s very bad, but it’s happening all over the US. You have to be careful with your information and cyber attacks,” Cologne told News 6.
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Tony Massey, another resident who came to get tags for her car, was unaware of the breach. She noted the generational divide in trust towards technology.
“Younger people trust this system,” Massey said. “The older people have worked without computers, so we’re very aware of what can happen, you know, and how it can be. They can steal your identity.”
In response to the breach, the city of St. Cloud has updated their “Cyber Incident Notice” on their website, informing residents that notices have been sent to those whose information may have been compromised.
The investigation revealed that between March 17, 2024, and March 25, 2024, an unauthorized actor gained access to certain systems and obtained sensitive information, including names, addresses, social security numbers, dates of birth, and driver’s license numbers.
To address the situation, the city has brought in cybersecurity specialists to monitor suspicious activity on their systems. Residents like Cologne believe that training city employees on cyber awareness is crucial.
When News 6 asked what they would like the city of Saint Cloud to do about the breach, Cologne said “Well, train people that work with that on cyber awareness.”
“I think it’s best to notify anybody that has anything registered in Saint Cloud,” Massey added.
For those with questions or concerns, the city has established a toll-free number at 1-800-322-8228.