Posted On March 30, 2022 Consumer Privacy & Data Breaches

Data Breach Alert: Soft Drink & Brewery Workers Union Local 812 Retirement Fund

March 30, 2022 – Recently, Horizon Actuarial Services, LLC, provided notice of a data breach affecting as many as 8,513 participants of the Soft Drink & Brewery Workers Union Local 812 Retirement Fund (“Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund”). Evidently, Horizon Actuarial was the target of a ransomware attack through which hackers were able to access the sensitive information of certain participants in the Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund.

It is essential for those who receive a data breach notification from Horizon Actuarial or Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund to understand what is at risk. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are actively investigating the Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund data breach. As a part of our 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 either of these organizations.

In 2021, there were 1,862 data breaches affecting more than 189,000,000 individuals. Victims of identity theft spend, on average, 200 hours and more than $1,300 recovering their identity. Many of these victims also suffer credit damage, emotional distress, and may even end up with a criminal record. Taking immediate action is the best way to prevent the worst consequences of a data breach.

What We Know So Far About the Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund Breach

Horizon Actuarial Services provides technical and actuarial consulting services to the Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund. According to a filing by Horizon Actuarial Services, on November 12, 2021, Horizon received an email from a group claiming to have obtained personal data from the company’s computer systems. Horizon looked into the group’s claims, confirming that the company was the target of a ransomware attack. The investigation also revealed that the group was able to access files containing sensitive consumer data. Horizon paid the ransom in exchange for assurances from the hackers that the data would be deleted.

Upon learning of the extent of the security breach, Horizon Actuarial then reviewed the affected files to determine what information was compromised. While the compromised information varies based on the individual, it may include your Social Security Number, Name, and Date of Birth.

Around March 24, 2022, Horizon Actuarial began sending out data breach notification letters on behalf of Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund to all individuals whose information was compromised as a result of the recent data security incident.

Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund is a benefit fund provided by Soft Drink & Brewery Workers Union Local 812. Soft Drink & Brewery Workers Union Local 812 is the New York City division of the Soft Drink & Brewery Workers Union. Local 812 serves more than 4,000 workers in the greater New York City Area.

Horizon Actuarial Services, LLC is a consulting firm that provides actuarial services to multiemployer benefit plans. The company serves more than 120 plans in various industries, including construction, trucking, professional sports, hospitality, entertainment, retail food, and communication.

Can Consumers Whose Data Was Leaked Pursue Legal Action Against a Company?

When you allowed Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund access to your personal data, you may not have known about its relationship with Horizon Actuarial Services. However, undoubtedly, you trusted the organization to keep your sensitive information safe. However, news of the Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund data breach raises some very serious questions about the Horizon Actuarial’s data security measures and whether more could have been done to prevent this type of cyber-attack.

Regardless of the industry, all organizations 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 a company that misused or mishandled their information. However, the investigation into the Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund breach is only in its beginning phases. For that reason, it is too early to tell if Horizon Actuarial Services was legally responsible for the breach. However, our data breach attorneys are investigating the Horizon Actuarial 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 Horizon Actuarial, contact a data breach attorney as soon as possible.

What to Do If You Received a Data Breach Notification from Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund

If you receive a data breach notification from Horizon Actuarial Services on behalf of Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund in the coming weeks, it means your personal data 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 Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund, 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, 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 taking an organization up on their offer. 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.

If You Have Questions About Your Rights Following the Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund 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 Teamsters Local 812 Retirement Fund 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.