Posted On February 16, 2022 Consumer Privacy & Data Breaches

Data Breach Alert: Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ

February 16, 2022 – Recently, Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ, (“SEIU,” “32BJ,” “Local 32BJ”) announced a “data security incident” in which a number of the organization’s computer systems were compromised. As a result of the recent data breach, an unauthorized party accessed certain files and folders within the 32BJ system and may have viewed or acquired data containing affected parties’ names, addresses and Social Security numbers between October 21, 2021 and November 1, 2021. Those impacted by a data breach should be sure they understand what happened, what their rights are, and how they can pursue them. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are actively investigating this security breach. As a part of the investigative process, our attorneys will be interviewing any victims of the breach to determine what harm was caused and whether they are eligible to bring a data breach class action lawsuit against Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ.

Cyberattacks such as this one are increasingly common in today’s society. In fact, the Identity Theft Resource Center reports that the number of reported data breaches between 2020 and 2021 climbed from 1,108 to 1,862; an increase of 68%. Approximately 80% of these breaches involved sensitive consumer information.

When a hacker breaches a computer system, they can steal sensitive consumer information from the compromised systems. While there is no guarantee that this information will be used for criminal purposes, that is not an uncommon occurrence. Thus, as a matter of course, after an organization experiences a data breach, it will inform anyone whose information was compromised. Despite the risks data breaches present, many consumers fail to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from identity theft and other frauds.

Can Consumers Whose Data Was Leaked Pursue Legal Action Against Local 32BJ?

When you allowed Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ access to your personal data, you trusted the organization to keep your sensitive information safe. However, news of the Service Employees International Union data breach raises some very serious questions about the organization’s data security measures and whether it could have done more to prevent this type of cyber-attack.

Organizations such as Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ have a legal obligation to protect consumer information in their possession. Although creating and maintaining a data security system is costly, this is a necessary expense given the frequency with which cyberattacks occur.

Consumers whose personal, identifying, financial or healthcare-related data was compromised in a data breach can pursue legal action against an organization that failed to secure the safety of their information. However, the investigation into the Service Employees International Union, BJ32 breach is only in its beginning phases. For that reason, it is too early to tell if the organization was legally responsible for the breach. However, our data breach attorneys are investigating the Service Employees International Union security breach to determine the potential legal remedies of those affected.

If you have questions about your ability to pursue a data breach class action lawsuit against Service Employees International Union, contact a data breach attorney as soon as possible.

What to Do If You Received a Data Breach Notification from Service Employees International Union, 32BJ

If you receive a data breach notification from Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ in the coming weeks, it means your personal data was among that which was compromised in the recent cyberattack. It also means a cybercriminal may have had access to—and may have stolen—your personal data. Given the risks involved, it is important you remain vigilant by taking the following steps:

1. Figure Out What Information Was Stolen: Carefully review the data breach letter sent by the Service Employees International Union,  keeping in mind the information you provided to the organization as well as the type of data that was compromised in the breach. You should also take a copy of the data breach letter and keep it for your records. Of course, data breach letters are not always easy to understand. A consumer privacy lawyer can help victims of a data breach understand what was compromised and how to protect themselves.
2. Prevent the Hacker from Accessing Your Accounts: Once you determine the scope of the breach and how it affected you, next you should take all steps to prevent cybercriminals from accessing your credit or financial accounts. For example, you should change all passwords and security questions for your online accounts. You should also consider setting up multi-factor authentication where it is available.
3. Protect Your Credit and Your Financial Accounts: In the wake of a data breach, organizations usually provide free credit monitoring services for a specified period of time. This is not a gimmick, and you do not give up any rights by signing up for free credit monitoring. Additionally, you should contact one of the three main credit bureaus to request a copy of your credit report. Even if you do not notice any signs of fraud or unauthorized activity, it is a good idea to request a fraud alert. Fraud alerts are free and serve as a red flag to potential lenders and creditors that your information was compromised.
4. Consider a Credit Freeze: A credit freeze prevents access to your credit report unless you specifically authorize it. Credit freezes are free and last until you remove them. While placing a credit freeze on your accounts may initially seem like a drastic measure, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center (“ITRC”), doing so is the “single most effective way to prevent a new credit/financial account from being opened.” However, ITRC reports that just 3% of consumers whose information is leaked place a freeze on their accounts. Once a credit freeze is in place, you can temporarily lift the freeze if you need to apply for any type of credit.
5. Regularly Monitor Your Credit Report and Financial Accounts: Protecting yourself in the wake of a data breach is not a one-time task. You should continually monitor your credit report and all financial accounts, keeping an eye out for any signs of unauthorized activity or fraud. You may also consider calling your banks and credit card companies to report the fact that your information was compromised in a data breach.

About Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ

Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ (“32BJ SEIU”) is a union primarily consisting of cleaners, property maintenance workers, doormen, security officers, window cleaners, building engineers, and school and food service workers. Most of the organization’s members live or work in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. There are currently about 175,000 members of 32BJ SEIU.

The Details of the 32BJ SEIU Data Breach

According to an official notice filed by the organization, on November 1, 2021, 32BJ SEIU first learned of a data security event in which an unauthorized actor obtained access to several computers on the organization’s network. Once SEIU learned of the incident, it initiated an internal investigation. The investigation confirmed that the organization was indeed the victim of a cyberattack and that certain files were accessed by the unauthorized party between October 21, 2021 and November 1, 2021. Additionally, 32BJ SEIU noted that the unauthorized party “may have acquired data containing certain employee and member information” between those dates.

Upon learning of the extent of the security breach, Service Employees International Union then reviewed the affected files to determine if the compromised files contained any sensitive information. Around January 13, 2022, the organization confirmed that the information may have included the names, addresses and Social Security numbers of up to 230,487 people.

Beginning on February 11, 2022, Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ began sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals whose information was contained in the affected files.

If You Have Questions About Your Rights Following the SEIU Data Breach, Console & Associates, P.C. Can Help

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 Service Employees International Union 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.