• This information is only for parents and carers who received an email notification on 14 April from Jenny Burgess, A/Secretary of the Department for Education, Children and Young People.
• This is a precautionary message only.

You’re receiving this email because you use, or have previously applied for, the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) with the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP).

You may be aware the Tasmanian Government is investigating the theft of data from a third-party file transfer service used by DECYP.

Our investigations show that some of your personal information may have been accessed.

Whilst your data has not been released yet, there is a likelihood that this could happen by the criminal group involved.

Data may include some, or all of, the following:

• unique STAS identifier
• name of parent or carer
• name of child
• date of birth of child
• grade of child
• physical address

The Tasmanian Government continues to investigate this situation, and is working with State and Federal authorities to reduce risk to individuals.

If you received this message and have a child at a non-Government school. Please note: For non-government schools, eligibility is assessed by the Department for Education, Children and Young People and assistance is at the discretion of the non-government school. It’s important to note that this information does not relate to information held by your child’s non-government school.

What does this mean for you?

• Please remain vigilant and stay alert for any suspicious financial activity or scams.
• Scammers may use your personal information to contact you by phone, text or email. Never click on links or provide personal or financial information to someone who contacts you out of the blue. 
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Tasmanian Information Service call centre on 1800 567 567 (available weekdays during business hours).
• If you are concerned for your immediate safety, contact Tasmania Police on 000.

Supports and resources:

• If you have any concerns about financial transactions, contact your financial provider.
• If you would like more information on data security, you can access Australian Government advice from the Australian Cyber Security Centre website at www.cyber.gov.au.
• You can also report to law enforcement via ReportCyber at https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/report.
• If you are concerned that your identity has been compromised or you have been a victim of a scam, contact your bank immediately and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160. IDCARE is Australia’s national identity and cyber support service.

For immediate, 24/7 support, please contact:

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
• 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732.

This information is only for parents and carers who received an email notification on 7 April from Jenny Burgess, A/Secretary of the Department for Education, Children and Young People.

I am contacting you following on from communications sent to you from your child’s school on 5 April 2023 about the possible theft of data via a third-party file transfer service.

The Tasmanian Government can confirm that stolen information has now been released and it has involved some of your personal information.

The information below relates to debtor statements which includes the following:

• your name,
• child/ren’s name,
• address,
• DECYP reference number and
• school name.

The Tasmanian Government continues to investigate the situation and work closely with State and Federal authorities to reduce risk to individuals and organisations.

I want to apologise for the impact that this incident has had on you. We are committed to help you and others impacted through this process.

While at this point the only information that has been released is information contained on debtor statements, we encourage you to remain vigilant and if needed, take practical steps including staying alert for any suspicious financial activity or attempted scams.

Please take a moment to review the information below and contact the supports listed should you have further questions or concerns. There is a Tasmanian Information Service (call centre) that has been established which is contactable on 1800 567 567 (available weekdays during business hours).

Know that we take this situation very seriously and have deployed additional resources over the Easter break.

What does this mean for you?

We recommend that you stay alert for any suspicious financial activity or attempted scams. A reminder there is a Tasmanian Information Service (call centre) that has been established which is contactable on 1800 567 567 (available weekdays during business hours).

There are a number of resources and supports that you can access in relation to data security and financial crime:

• If you would like more information on data security, you can access Australian Government advice from the Australian Cyber Security Centre website at www.cyber.gov.au 

• If you have any concerns regarding financial transactions, please contact your financial provider. 

• You can also report to law enforcement via ReportCyber at https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/report.

For immediate support, 24-hour telephone assistance is available through:

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
• 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732

If you are concerned for your immediate safety, contact Tasmania Police on 000.

Additional Important Information

• Scammers may use your personal information to contact you by phone, text or email. Never click on links or provide personal or financial information to someone who contacts you out of the blue. 
• If you are concerned that your identity has been compromised or you have been a victim of a scam contact your bank immediately and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160. IDCARE is Australia’s national identity and cyber support service, to get expert advice from a specialist identity and cyber security service.

This information is for all parents and carers

The Tasmanian Government is investigating a possible theft of data from a third-party file transfer service, GoAnywhere MFT.

A vulnerability in this software was exploited globally, and the Tasmanian Government may be one of many victims.

What we know:

• This software is used by the Department for Education, Children and Young People.
• At this stage, there is no proof that anything has been stolen.
• Early investigations indicate that there is a risk that financial data from the Department for Education, Children and Young People may have been compromised.
• The financial data may include names, addresses, invoices and bank account numbers.

It’s important the Tasmanian community is aware of the possible theft.

Please be vigilant and, if needed, take practical steps including staying alert for any suspicious financial activity or attempted scams.

The Tasmania Government continues to closely monitor the situation.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

Resources and support services include:

• The Australian Cyber Security Centre website at www.cyber.gov.au – for information about data security.
• Your financial provider – if you have any concerns about financial transactions.
• ReportCyber at https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/report – to report any cyber incidents to law enforcement.

Regards,
Principal