Posted On December 11, 2022 Consumer Privacy & Data Breaches
December 11, 2022 – Crane Worldwide Logistics (“Crane”) filed notice of a data breach with the Texas Attorney General after consumer information that was entrusted to Crane was compromised after an unauthorized party was able to access the company’s computer network. Based on the company’s official filing, the incident resulted in an unauthorized party gaining access to consumers’ names, addresses and Social Security numbers. After confirming that consumer data was leaked, Crane began sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals who were impacted by the recent data security incident.
If you received a data breach notification, it is essential you understand what is at risk. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are actively investigating the Crane data breach on behalf of people whose information was exposed. As a part of this investigation, we are providing free consultations to anyone affected by the breach who is interested in learning more about the risks of identity theft, what they can do to protect themselves, and what their legal options may be to obtain compensation from Crane Worldwide Logistics.
All information regarding the Crane Worldwide Logistics breach comes from the company’s filing posted on the Texas Attorney General’s “Data Security Breach Reports” web page. However, information on the Texas AG’s website is limited, and because Crane Worldwide Logistics has not yet posted a notice of the breach on its website, little is known about what led up to the breach.
At some point recently, Crane learned that an unauthorized party may have gained access to sensitive consumer information that had been provided to the company. In response, Crane launched an investigation, determining that some of the files that were accessible to the unauthorized party contained confidential consumer information.
After discovering that sensitive consumer data was made available to an unauthorized party, Crane Worldwide Logistics began to review the affected files to determine what information was compromised and which consumers were impacted. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your first and last name, address, and Social Security number.
On December 8, 2022, Crane Worldwide Logistics sent out data breach letters to all individuals whose information was compromised as a result of the recent data security incident. The number of individuals affected by the Crane Worldwide Logistics breach remains unknown. However, the Texas Attorney General reports that there were 1,614 victims in that state alone. However, given that Crane operates in nearly 30 countries, the total number of victims could be much higher.
Founded in 2008, Crane Worldwide Logistics is a freight and logistics company based in Houston, Texas. The company provides a wide range of services related to air freight, ocean freight, rail freight, ground transportation, contract logistics, customs brokerage and more. Crane also provides consulting services to its corporate clients. Crane maintains operations in 120 different locations in 30 countries, including the United States, Mexico, South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Crane Worldwide Logistics employs more than 2,155 people and generates approximately $7 billion in annual revenue.
Hackers orchestrate cyberattacks in hopes of gaining access to sensitive consumer information. While the reasons why hackers carry out these attacks vary, their intention is to make a profit—either off of the targeted company or the victims of the breach. Social Security numbers are one of the most targeted data types because hackers can easily use Social Security numbers to steal victims’ identities or sell the stolen SSNs to other criminals who plan on doing the same thing. But how do criminals profit off of stolen Social Security numbers?
Most people assume that hackers are limited to making a few unauthorized transactions and that resolving the effects of a data breach is straightforward; however, that is not necessarily the case. Criminals have a few different ways to profit from stolen Social Security numbers, including:
The most common consequence of a data breach is that hackers will use your information to open up a new line of credit in your name. In most cases, this involves a hacker applying online for a new credit card, personal loan, or bank account. To open any of these accounts, a hacker needs your name, date of birth, address and Social Security number. Most of the time, they can acquire this information through a single breach. However, even if they are missing some information, once they have your name and Social Security, obtaining the other information is not much of a challenge for these sophisticated criminals. For example, a hacker may have access to your other information through another data breach, a database of previously compromised information, or by conducting an online search using the stolen information they already have.
Tax refund fraud occurs when a criminal files a tax return in your name before you have the chance to file. The objective of tax refund fraud is to steal your tax refund. Once a hacker has your Social Security number, they can easily file a fraudulent tax return on your behalf, directing your tax refund wherever they’d like. And unfortunately, victims of tax refund fraud often don’t even realize they’ve been targeted until the IRS rejects their tax return because, in the IRS system, it has already been filed. To reduce the chances of falling victim to tax refund fraud, it is important you file your tax return as soon as possible.
Opening up a new cell phone and utility account is a common method hackers can use to profit from stolen information. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission reports that 13 percent of all fraud cases in 2016 involved criminals opening up new phone and utility accounts. To open up a utility account, a hacker needs your name, address and your Social Security number, all of which are available through most data breaches.
Those who have questions about their rights after a data breach and what they can do to hold a company responsible for leaking their information should reach out to an experienced data breach lawyer for assistance.
At Console & Associates, P.C., our consumer privacy lawyers monitor all security and data breaches to help affected consumers pursue their legal remedies. We offer free consultations to victims of data breaches and can explain your rights in clear, understandable terms so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed with your case. If you’ve been affected by the Crane data breach or any other data security incident, Console & Associates, P.C., will investigate your case at no charge and offer you thorough advice about how to most effectively proceed with your case. If you decide to bring a case, we only get paid if you do. If your claim is successful, any legal fees are either paid by the defendant or come out of the funds recovered from the defendant. If your claim doesn’t result in a recovery, you will pay nothing.
To schedule your free consultation, just call (866) 778-5500 today or fill out our secure contact form.
