Rep. Crossman pushes ODJFS for answers on reported hacking of personal accounts

Rep. Jeff Crossman (D-Parma) today sent a request for information to Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder following witness testimony regarding the hacking of personal, online portal accounts, which allegedly allowed criminals to change bank routing information to redirect unemployment funds.

"Needless to say, I'm deeply alarmed by the lack of urgency on this issue and the denials that hacking has occurred and is ongoing.  We have a Cyber Reserve unit of the National Guard that has never been called in to assess the security risks and address security concerns and that alone is unbelievable,"  said Rep. Crossman.  In his letter to ODJFS Director Damschroder, Rep. Crossman stressed the importance of taking cybersecurity seriously: 

“Ohioans must have assurances that their bank account information, social security numbers, and other personal identifying information are secure in the state’s hands and not subject to cybercriminals poised to steal people’s identities and wreak financial havoc on the lives of people already experiencing financial difficulties,” wrote Rep. Crossman. 

Numerous Ohioans have reported their ODJFS online accounts being hacked in recent months, which the agency has thus far denied. 

Rep. Crossman temporarily replaced Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) at the Aug. 5 meeting of the Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council, which is tasked with recommending changes to the state’s broken, outdated unemployment system.