Connecticut's attorney general has asked Wells Fargo & Co. if the bank improperly released customers' Social Security numbers with identifying information.
Attorney General George Jepsen said published reports suggested Social Security numbers of some individuals, together with identifying information, were included on at least two subpoenas issued to Wells Fargo from the state Department of Social Services. Jepsen said the reports also suggested the company provided copies of those subpoenas to customers without redacting the personal information of the other customers.
Connecticut law forbids entities entrusted with Social Security numbers from releasing them improperly.
Wells Fargo representatives didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Jepsen said he asked the company to respond by next week. He said that if a breach of customer information occurred, the company could be asked to provide affected customers with credit monitoring, identity theft insurance and security freeze reimbursement.
The state Department of Social Services had subpoenaed Wells Fargo's financial records to determine whether state employees falsified information on applications for D-SNAP benefits. The D-SNAP aid program provided food assistance in Connecticut following Tropical Storm Irene.
