JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster issued a warning to consumers Friday after an accidental release of consumer information at Missouri Credit Union.
A member of Missouri Credit Union recently contacted Koster's office about an unintended glitch that made credit union member information accessible for a short time this summer on the credit union's website. The credit union assured Koster's office that the information was available for only a short time and that the credit union fixed the issue as soon as it was identified.
The credit union fulfilled its legal obligations by notifying its 39,000 members and former members whose personal information was available online.
Criminals can use the personal information of consumers to commit identity theft or financial identity theft. Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses another person's personal information to create false identities or obtain services like insurance. In financial identity theft, criminals use personal information to open new accounts, obtain credit or access financial accounts of the victim.
Koster's office warned consumers to diligently monitor their accounts and immediately contact the credit union if they discover strange activity. Missouri Credit Union members may want to consider closing their existing accounts and reopening accounts with a new number to protect themselves.