Data breach may affect 97,000 Utahns with workforce benefits

As many as 97,000 Utahns receiving benefits through the state Department of Workforce Services may be impacted by a data breach through JPMorgan Chase.

The banking giant informed DWS on Thursday that its servers affecting UCard customers — similar to a debit card — were hacked from July 17 to Sept. 17 and personal information may have been "inappropriately accessed."

A spokeswoman for JPMorgan said Friday afternoon the database is now secure and there is no evidence of data misuse or improper activity.

The breach does not affect JPMorgan debit or credit card customers, spokeswoman Trish Wexler said.

Jon S. Pierpont, DWS executive director, issued a statement Friday saying his department "is committed to protecting Utahns' personal information and will work closely with JPMorgan to do everything possible to protect the security of its customers."

Although 97,000 Utahns use the UCard, it remained unclear Friday how many customers' individual information was accessed improperly, said DWS spokesman Nic Dunn.

The data breach occurred at the website where Utahns apply for the UCard — an electronic payment card, managed by JPMorgan, that provides funds for training, unemployment insurance, and payroll for some state employees.

Dunn said UCard users should watch their accounts carefully to monitor for unusual activity.

The bank will contact all customers potentially affected by the breach, JPMorgan's spokeswoman said, and will provide one year of free credit monitoring for them.

In the aftermath of the breach, DWS will review its relationship with the bank, Pierpont said. "Our number one priority is providing secure, quality service to our customers, and we will work to ensure all our private-sector partners maintain that standard."

csmart@sltrib.com —

Need assistance

For more information about the data breach, customers can contact JPMorgan at 866-849-5255.