KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — Kaufman County officials have confirmed that a second data breach earlier this month may have compromised personal information, marking the second computer security incident in October.
In a letter sent to affected residents dated October 1, 2025, County Judge Jakie Allen acknowledged that personal information maintained by the county may have been accessed during the security incident. The notification, distributed through a data-protection firm called Cyberscout, advises residents to monitor their credit reports and offers 24 months of complimentary identity-protection services through TransUnion.
Personal Data Potentially Exposed
According to the notice, the information potentially affected includes names, Social Security numbers, and other identifying details used in county records. While officials say they have “no evidence of misuse,” the county is urging residents to stay vigilant and take protective action.
The letter provides instructions on how to place a security freeze on credit reports and how to obtain free copies of credit histories from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It also outlines steps for victims of identity theft, including contacting law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission to file reports.
Second Breach in Three Weeks
This newly confirmed breach follows a separate cyber incident on October 20, which disrupted courthouse computer systems and left some employees unable to access files. County officials described that earlier event as a “security incident,” noting that emergency services were not affected.
With two events in the same month, questions are now being raised about the overall security of Kaufman County’s computer systems and whether adequate safeguards are in place to prevent future compromises.
Residents Urged to Stay Alert
Residents who received the letter are encouraged to:
Activate the free credit-monitoring services offered through Cyberscout.
Review financial accounts and credit reports for unauthorized activity.
Place a fraud alert or security freeze on their credit files to block new accounts from being opened without permission.
Report suspicious activity to the FTC or local law enforcement.
The county’s letter stresses that the breach response is ongoing and that officials “take this event and the security of information in our care seriously.”
Growing Cybersecurity Concerns
Local governments across Texas have faced a rising number of cyberattacks in recent years. The Texas Department of Information Resources continues to warn counties and municipalities about ransomware and phishing threats targeting public systems.
For Kaufman County, two confirmed security incidents in a single month may represent a turning point in how the region approaches digital infrastructure and data privacy. County officials have not indicated whether the same attackers were involved in both breaches, but the timing suggests a broader vulnerability in county systems.
What’s Next
As the investigation continues, Kaufman County residents are advised to remain cautious when interacting with emails or messages claiming to come from government offices. Phishing scams often follow large-scale data breaches, exploiting public concern and confusion.
