A ransomware attack last fall exposed sensitive personal data from Highline Public Schools’ computer systems, including Social Security numbers, student records, and medical information, district officials confirmed this week.
As we previously reported, the cyberattack occurred Sept. 7, 2024, and caused the closure of all schools for three days. It triggered an immediate response from the district’s IT department and third-party forensic specialists, who helped contain the breach and launch an investigation. That review revealed an unauthorized actor had gained access to certain files on the district’s network.
Since then, a detailed audit of the compromised data has been underway to determine the scope of the breach. That review recently concluded, with officials confirming that files containing private information were accessed.
The types of data exposed vary by individual, but may include names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, passport numbers, financial and employment information, student IDs, academic records, medical and health insurance details, and digital signatures.
“This incident underscores the importance of our ongoing investments in cybersecurity,” the district said in a written statement. “Confidentiality, privacy, and security of personal information are among our highest priorities.”
In response, the school district said it has strengthened internal systems and security protocols to guard against future breaches. The district also reported the incident to federal law enforcement.
The district is urging all potentially affected community members to remain vigilant by monitoring financial and health accounts, reviewing credit reports, and watching for signs of fraud or identity theft.
Questions can be directed to the district by calling the dedicated assistance line at 1-877-758-1726 or by writing to Highline Public Schools at 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Burien, WA 98166.
Steps You Can Take To Protect Personal Information
The district also offered the following tips:
Enroll in Monitoring Services
To help mitigate the potential impact, Highline is offering 12 months of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection through IDX. Affected individuals can enroll by visiting https://response.idx.us/HighlinePublicSchools or by calling 1-877-758-1726 before the July 2, 2025 enrollment deadline.
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 1-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, please 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:
Equifax | Experian | TransUnion |
www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services | www.experian.com/help | www.transunion.com/credit-help |
1-888-298-0045 | 1-888-397-3742 | 1-800-916-8800 |
Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 | Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 | TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 |
Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 | Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 | TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094 |
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 Avenue 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. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.