If you paid a parking ticket through the City of Saint John’s website, your name, address and credit card info may have been exposed.
Mayor Don Darling said the city learned of a data breach involving third-party software product Click2Gov on Friday.
The software, which is operated by CentralSquare Technologies, is used to process online parking ticket payments.
City advises users of online parking ticket payment system of data breach https://t.co/SMKVeJKDhe
— City of Saint John (@cityofsaintjohn) December 22, 2018
“We found out, actually, through some media coverage, not directly from the company, which is obviously a concern,” Darling said on Saturday.
Darling said the city sent out a public notice shortly after and shut down its payment site until further notice.
He said he understands other municipalities across North America, mainly in the United States, have also been impacted.
Forensic audit
Darling said they have asked the software provider for a forensic audit to find out the extent of the breach.
“In terms of the depth of that and the holidays, we think it’s an exercise over the next five to seven days where we’re going to receive more information,” he said.
Darling said there also needs to be a discussion about enhancing security as more and more people use online services.
“The more that that activity exists, there’s going to be a whole countermovement of people that are trying to get that private information away from us,” he said.”
The city says you should contact your financial institution if you see any unauthorized activity on your accounts; if you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, you should contact Saint John police or your local police force.
Story by Brad Perry
Twitter: @BradMPerry
Email: perry.brad@radioabl.ca
(File photo/Acadia News)
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