ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens has confirmed that 28,467 households in the state could be affected by an online security breach involving Nationwide Insurance Co.

Hudgens said the company notified him that a portion of its computer network was accessed illegally. The hackers gained unauthorized access to personal information of policyholders and applicants for policies.

Nationwide has opened a toll-free hotline to field questions from anyone who might have been affected. The number is 1-800-760-1125.

Hudgens said the company also has committed to provide his office with evidence of written notice to everyone who could have been affected and to provide those people with free credit monitoring and identify theft protection from Equifax for at least one year.

The commissioner's office also has a consumer hotline at 1-800-656-2298.