Board Of County Commissioners

Chelan County, WA (“Chelan County”) is providing notice of a data event that involves personal information related to certain individuals.

On or about May 24, 2026, Chelan County became aware of suspicious activity in our computer environment. We promptly began an investigation to determine the nature and scope of the event. The investigation determined that between May 20, 2026, and May 24, 2026, data from certain systems was accessed or acquired without authorization. We then reviewed the data involved to determine what information was present and to whom such information may relate. Our review, which concluded on July 16, 2026, determined that personal information was present in the data involved in the event.

The personal information present in the files involved may include certain individuals’ names and the following: full or last four digits of Social Security number, driver’s license number or Washington identification card number, financial account or payment card information, date of birth, passport number, health insurance or medical information, student or military identification number, and username/email address and access credentials.

We take this event and information security seriously. Upon becoming aware, we moved quickly to investigate and respond to the event and assess the security of our systems. As part of our ongoing commitment to information security, we are reviewing our existing policies and procedures to reduce the likelihood of similar future events. We also notified federal law enforcement early in the investigation.

We encourage individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing their account statements and monitoring free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Suspicious activity should be promptly reported to relevant parties such as a financial institution.  Additional information and resources may be found below in the Steps Individuals Can Take to Help Protect Personal Information.

Individuals with questions may write to Chelan County at 400 Douglas St., Suite 201, Wenatchee, WA, 98801.

Steps Individuals Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information

Monitor Your Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a one-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, contact any of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer’s name without consent.

However, consumers should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in their credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application they make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of the following information:

• Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
• Social Security number;
• Date of birth;
• Addresses for the prior two to five years;
• Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
• A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
• A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if they are a victim of identity theft.

Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Additional Information

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect your personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or their state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them.

Consumers can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Consumers have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, consumers will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and the relevant state Attorney General.

Posted: 08/11/2026 09:02 AM
Last Updated: 08/11/2026 11:57 AM