Nationwide Mutual Insurance hit by cyberattack

COLUMBUS, Ohio Nationwide Mutual Insurance says someone attacked part of its computer network.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company says the Oct. 3 data breach occurred in a network also used by Allied Insurance. It has determined that the compromised information included names, birth dates and Social Security and driver's license numbers. Nationwide spokeswoman Liz Gianetti told Columbus Business First that the cyberattack affects about 1.1 million people.

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"This attack involves the information of some customers and other individuals who sought an insurance quote from Nationwide Insurance or Allied Insurance," Nationwide said in a statement on its website.

Nationwide is sending letters notifying those affected and is offering them free credit monitoring and identity theft protection for a year. The insurer says it isn't aware of the compromised information being misused.

Nationwide is one of the world's biggest insurance and financial services companies. It says the breach was discovered the day it happened and was contained.

Law enforcement is investigating the breach.