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at least 800 people affected

Clearview Public Schools experiences data breach on Indeed.com

Dec 17, 2022 | 12:40 PM

Clearview Public Schools is dealing with a data breach they say may have impacted at least 800 people.

The breach involves applicants to Clearview’s job openings posted on Indeed.com.

The division says during the period of Dec. 13-15, 2022, a third party illegally accessed its account on Indeed, meaning information about current and potential support staff who used Indeed.com in their application for a position was accessed.

Information accessed may include resumes and applications, and more specifically names, contact details, work history, or other information provided to potential employers.

According to the division, the third party used the Indeed.com account to communicate to applicants on possible job opportunities with a link to collect private information or engage in illegal acts. The third party may use the private and personal information collected to engage in malicious activities.

The third party also deleted the history of applicants, preventing full knowledge of all impacted by this privacy breach.

Clearview Public Schools is reviewing applications stored in its human services database to identify individuals that may be impacted by the breach in private information, officials say.

Furthermore, the division says, Clearview has available information to 2019. Clearview has reached out to Indeed.com for assistance on this matter.

“We sincerely apologize for the breach in privacy and for those who have trusted us with their information. We take privacy seriously and will be doing everything in our power to respond to this situation, including investigation into the cause of the breach to minimize the risk of a similar event in the future. We will also respond legally if and when that becomes possible. If further information becomes available we will share that as well,” says Scot Leys, Superintendent of Clearview Public Schools.

“If you are contacted by Clearview Public Schools relating to a suspicious job opportunity or you receive communications requesting any personal information through telephone, email, or an individual’s Indeed.com account, we advise you to not click on any links or provide any personal information.”

Clearview Public Schools has suspended the previous Indeed.com account and the associated email account that collected application information. Individuals identified that may be impacted by the breach will be contacted to inform them of the breach to mitigate any harm. Clearview Public Schools is also reviewing and investigating the cause of the privacy breach to minimize the risk of a similar act occurring.

Clearview Public Schools has schools primarily in and around Stettler.