In a recent data breach at the U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT), personal information belonging to approximately 237,000 current and former federal government employees has been compromised, according to sources familiar with the matter. The breach targeted the systems responsible for processing TRANServe transit benefits, which reimburse government workers for certain commuting expenses.
It remains unclear whether the exposed personal data has been exploited for illicit activities. USDOT, in a statement to Reuters, assured that the breach did not impact any transportation safety systems. However, the department has taken immediate action by initiating an investigation into the breach. To secure and restore the affected system, access to the transit benefit system has been temporarily suspended.
The transit benefit program allows federal employees to receive reimbursement of up to $280 per month for mass transit commuting costs. The USDOT has not disclosed any information regarding the identity of the responsible party behind the hacking incident. As the investigation progresses, the department will focus on enhancing the security measures to prevent future breaches. The affected employees are advised to remain vigilant regarding any suspicious activities related to their personal information and to take appropriate measures to safeguard their identities.