Threat from hacking of city of Tulsa's website extends beyond city limits

TULSA - The city of Tulsa's website was hacked recently, but it's not just Tulsans whose personal information is at risk. 

The potentially compromised information includes social security numbers.

People have been notified by letter that their personal information may be in the hands of hackers, thanks to a recent threat to the city of Tulsa's website. Mobile users can click on http://bit.ly/cityletter to read the letter.

Officials say the attempt was to access one of the city's computer servers, which hosts the city's website.

Now, because the website was hacked, officials are urging people whose information is now at risk to place a fraud alert on their information, keep close tabs on credit reports and consider placing a security freeze on their credit file.

The city says those affected submitted an employment application through the city's website or reported a crime there. 

City officials say information that may have been compromised includes social security, phone and driver's license numbers.

Beyond placing a fraud alert, the FTC provides a wealth of information on their Deter, Detect, Defend site .

The city's website remains down while a criminal investigation continues.

Officials say the investigation thus far indicates attempts to access data were "most likely unsuccessful," though the city took the site off-line as a precaution while the investigation was launched.

"We don't believe that its likely that anyone accessed the information, however we also don't have any evidence that information wasn't accessed," said Tulsa City Manager Jim Twombly.

City officials say they have established a resource center to take calls from those who received the letters and have further questions.