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Tax Collector Database in Pennsylvania Reports Breach

The Leesport, Pa., Borough Tax Collector has issued an alert via email to residents, advising them to put their bank accounts on hold after learning that the collector’s computer system has been hacked.

(TNS) — Leesport, Pa., residents are being advised to put a hold on their bank accounts after the Leesport borough tax collector learned her computer system had been hacked.

The borough issued a Code Red Alert via email to residents and put a message on the borough's internet home page advising borough taxpayers that tax collector M. Jane Lauser's system had been hacked.

"Our Tax Collector's computer was compromised," the message reads. "Please notify your bank and have a hold put on your account."

In addition, Borough Councilman Bruce J. Reimer Sr. posted the Code Red Alert from the borough on his "Leesport Borough Residents" Facebook page.

The message reads:

"This is a CodeRed Emergency Alert message from Leesport Borough.

"We've just been advised that the borough tax collectors computer has been breached.

"At this time, we do not know to what extent or how much personal data has been compromised.

"While the police investigate this matter, our solicitor is advising residents to contact their banks as soon as possible and to put a hold on their accounts."

Northern Berks Regional police patrol the borough. A police officer confirmed Lauser's tax collection system had been hacked and that it was under investigation, but declined further comment.

Reimer said he was aware the borough tax collector's records had been hacked but said he had no further information.

Lauser was unavailable Thursday afternoon.

©2019 the Reading Eagle (Reading, Pa.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.