GCI apologizes for security breach

ALASKA — The cable, Internet and phone company GCI, out of an “abundance of caution,” is warning users that a rogue customer service agent tried to use customers’ account information for his own purchases.

According to a GCI press release issued Wednesday, the former telephone service representative gathered information from clients directly and later tried to use it for himself.

“Because this was an isolated incident that did not compromise its system, GCI has been able to identify every customer (about 400 in all) that had any contact with the former representative,” according to the press release.

GCI has been contacting those customers to make sure nothing is amiss with their accounts.

The company also is cooperating with law enforcement.

“We deeply regret and apologize for this incident and the associated inconvenience to our customers,” Paul Landes, senior vice president and general manager of consumer services for GCI, says in the press release. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement officials and are reviewing our internal procedures to ensure this type of event does not occur again.”

—Andrew Wellner