State Labor Department Reports Data Breach

Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The state's labor department is reporting a virus infected its computer systems and may have exposed confidential information including Social Security numbers.

Anyone whose online file was manually accessed between April 19 and May 13 could be affected and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development is advising anyone who believes they may have been affected to put a fraud alert, or credit freeze, on any access to their credit reports.

The 1,200 employers that manually file could also be affected by the data breach.

State officials say W32.QAKBOT virus, a new strain of a computer virus, was detected on April 20 and was believed to have been eradicated. On Monday, it was found the the virus was still active and the system was shut down. W32.QAKBOT may have infected as many as 1,500 computers housed in Departments of Unemployment Assistance and Career Services, including the computers at the One-Stop Career Centers.

A staff person would have had to key in sensitive information at an infected work station for the virus to access a personal file.

According to a statement from the agency, the possibility exists that as a result of the infection, the virus collected confidential claimant or employer information. This information may include names, Social Security numbers, Employer Identification Numbers, email addresses and residential or business addresses. It is possible that bank information of employers was also transmitted through the virus.

"I apologize to our customers and recognize that this is an unwanted problem. We are hopeful that the actual impact on residents and businesses is minimal. The breach is no longer active," Joanne F. Goldstein, secretary of labor, said in a statement. "We are in the process of individually notifying all residents whom we think could be impacted and have advised all relevant and necessary state and federal agencies of the situation."

The department is working with state and federal agencies; the attorney general's Cyber Crime Unit, the Office of Consumer Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are now involved. "We are coordinating with the attorney general to identify the perpetrators of this crime and to take the next steps to address their actions," stated Goldstein.

All unemployment claimants will receive letters advising them of the breach and the information on how they can further protect themselves. EOLWD has set up a hotline, 1-877-232-6200, that will be staffed starting Tuesday and for the next two weeks. The extended hours are listed below:
  • Tuesday, May 17 – Friday, May 20: 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 21: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • Monday, May 23 – Thursday, May 26: 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, May 27: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Instructions on how to set up a fraud alert and other ways to protect yourself can be found here.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

View Full Story

More State Stories