Malware
Staggering FBCS Data Breach Impact Skyrockets, Affecting 4.2 Million Individuals
The Federal Bank of California’s (FBC) recent data breach affects 42 million people, with 3 million unique email addresses and passwords exposed. Learn more about the breach and how it impacts users’ personal data security.
Picture this: you’re enjoying a peaceful evening when suddenly you receive an email notification. The subject line reads, “Data Breach – Your Information Compromised.” Your heart skips a beat, and you start to panic. Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming all too common in the United States, and the latest victim is none other than debt collection agency Financial Business and Consumer Solutions (FBCS).
4.2 Million People Affected by FBCS Data Breach
FBCS, a US debt collection agency handling unpaid debts across various sectors, initially reported that 1.9 million people had their sensitive personal information compromised in a data breach on February 14, 2024. But wait, it gets worse. In May, FBCS increased the number of affected individuals to 3.2 million. Now, in a new supplemental notice, FBCS revealed that a staggering 4,253,394 people have been impacted by the breach.
What Personal Information Was Exposed?
The type of information exposed in the breach varies from person to person, but may include:
- Full name
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Date of birth
- Account information
- Driver’s license number or ID card
New data breach notifications were sent out to these additional people on July 23, warning them about the increased risk of phishing and fraud.
How to Protect Yourself if You’re Affected
If you’re one of the millions affected by this data breach, you should be on high alert for targeted phishing attacks attempting to steal additional information, such as your credentials. It’s also essential to monitor your credit reports for fraudulent activities and loans, as the exposed information can be used for identity theft.
As a silver lining, FBCS is offering free 24-month credit monitoring and identity restoration services via CyEx to those impacted by the breach. Be sure to follow the instructions provided in the notification email to enroll in these services.
Stay Informed and Stay Safe
While it’s still unknown what type of attack led to the data breach, and no ransomware gangs have claimed responsibility, we do know that unauthorized access to FBCS’s internal network occurred. As an IT Services provider, we’re committed to keeping you informed and helping you stay safe in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity.
Don’t let yourself be a victim of data breaches and cyberattacks. Reach out to us and keep coming back to learn more about how you can protect yourself and your sensitive information.