More than 3 million fishing and hunting license customers in Texas could be affected by a cybersecurity incident linked to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) sales system.
Texas Cyber Command detected the incident at an external provider that handles the sale of fishing and hunting licenses for TPWD. The information that could have been obtained includes driver’s license data, passport numbers if provided, email addresses, phone numbers, and residential addresses.
Personal data could have been exposed
The investigation indicates that an unauthorized person could have accessed customer information from the TPWD license system.
The data involved include driver’s license information, passport numbers where provided, email addresses, phone numbers and residential addresses.
The agency stated that Social Security numbers, dates of birth or financial information were not obtained. Credit card data were not compromised in this incident.
There is also no evidence that customers under 18 were affected or that a specific group was targeted.
License sales will continue in August
TPWD maintains the license sales calendar for August and for the upcoming licensing year.
The agency is working with the system provider to implement new security measures and strengthen monitoring. Access controls to customer profiles were also strengthened after detecting the incident.
Fishing and hunting licenses are used by residents across Texas, including customers in the Houston area who purchase permits for recreational activities, lake fishing, coastal fishing, or hunting within the state.
Affected customers may request free credit monitoring
Customers affected may receive one year of free credit monitoring through Kroll.
To confirm eligibility, they should call the dedicated help center at 844-959-7123. The service is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Central Time.
The enrollment deadline for free credit monitoring is September 14, 2026.
Credit monitoring can help detect suspicious activity related to attempts to open new accounts or use personal information without authorization.
TPWD recommends reviewing accounts and credit reports
Customers who purchased fishing or hunting licenses in Texas should review their account statements and credit reports for unauthorized activity.
If there is a transaction, account, or movement that the person does not recognize, they should contact the financial institution or the appropriate credit bureau.
Consumers can also freeze their credit for free with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A credit freeze makes it harder for someone else to open new accounts using stolen personal information.
A free fraud alert can also be placed for one year by contacting any of the three credit bureaus.
Customers should beware of fake calls, emails, and messages
The exposed information could be used by scammers to impersonate companies, agencies, or officials.
Customers should avoid opening suspicious links, downloading unexpected files, or sharing personal data by phone, text message, or email without confirming that the request is legitimate.
A red flag is any message that pressures the user to act immediately, pay a fee, surrender passwords, or confirm personal information through an unverified link.
People who have questions about the incident or about the free monitoring can call 844-959-7123, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Central Time.
Useful data for TPWD license customers
Affected agency: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
Involved system: external license sales provider for fishing and hunting
Potentially affected customers: more than 3 million
Data that could have been exposed: driver’s license, passport if provided, email, phone, and residential address
Data not obtained: Social Security, date of birth, financial information, and credit cards
Service available: one year of free credit monitoring by Kroll
Phone: 844-959-7123
Center hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Central Time
Enrollment deadline: September 14, 2026
License sales: will continue in August and during the next licensing year
Customers who purchased fishing or hunting licenses in Texas can call 844-959-7123 to confirm if they are eligible for free monitoring before September 14, 2026.
