NewsState

Actions

Florida sheriff says DCF employee behind data breach affecting 2,000

wptv-sarasota-county-data-breach.jpg
Posted at 8:45 AM, Jul 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-03 11:58:43-04

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Investigators say a Florida Department of Children and Family Services employee is accused of leaking personal data to six people in an organized fraud ring.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that the data breach affected 2,000 people, and has already amounted to $260,000 in retail theft.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office began investigating in May after two people opened multiple credit card accounts and made more than $6,000 in purchases. They were arrested a few days later.

A search of their cellphones revealed more than 500 photos of personal information linked to Bertanicy Garcia, an interviewing clerk for the children's services agency in Miami.

The agency said Garcia has been fired and a review of safety measures is underway.

Four other arrests have been made in the case.