Posted On March 18, 2022 Consumer Privacy & Data Breaches

Data Breach Alert: TOPS Staffing, LLC

March 18, 2022 – Recently, TOPS Staffing, LLC announced a data security incident leading to an unauthorized party gaining access to the sensitive information of as many as 7,118 employees. It is essential that those who receive a data breach notification from TOPS Staffing understand what is at risk. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are actively investigating the TOPS Staffing data breach on behalf of people whose information was exposed. 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 TOPS Staffing.

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 TOPS Staffing Breach

According to an official filing by the company, on June 7, 2021, TOPS staffing learned that an unauthorized party gained access to its computer system, encrypting certain files. In response, TOPS Staffing secured its network and began an investigation into the incident to determine whether any consumer or employee information was accessible as a result of the breach. Following the investigation, the company could not rule out the possibility that the unauthorized party accessed the affected files.

Upon learning of the extent of the security breach, TOPS Staffing then reviewed all affected files to determine what information was compromised. The company concluded its review of the files on October 5, 2021. While the compromised information varies by employee, it may include employees’ names, Social Security numbers, tax ID numbers, driver’s licenses numbers, state identification card numbers, passport numbers, military identification numbers and financial account numbers.

On November 5, 2021, TOPS Staffing began sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals whose information was compromised as a result of the recent data security incident. However, some of those letters were returned due to an invalid address. Around March 11, 2022, Tops Staffing resent data breach notifications to affected parties.

TOPS Staffing, LLC is a temporary employment agency based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and consists of five specialty recruiting firms, TOPS Staffing, LLC, eStaff Search Group, Inc., AccountStaff, Inc., AllTek Staffing & Resource Group, Inc., Sterling Office Professionals LLC. Through these divisions, the company fills a wide range of positions, including light technical and skilled assembly workers, accounting and finance personnel, engineers, data analysts, and administrative and human resources personnel.

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

When you allowed TOPS Staffing access to your personal data, you trusted the company to keep your sensitive information safe. However, news of the TOPS Staffing data breach raises some very serious questions about the company’s data security measures and whether the company could have done more to prevent this type of cyber-attack.

Regardless of the industry, all businesses have a legal obligation to protect employee 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 TOPS Staffing breach is only in its beginning phases. For that reason, it is too early to tell if TOPS Staffing was legally responsible for the breach. However, our data breach attorneys are investigating the TOPS Staffing 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 TOPS Staffing, contact a data breach attorney as soon as possible.

What to Do If You Received a Data Breach Notification from TOPS Staffing

If you receive a data breach notification from TOPS Staffing 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 TOPS Staffing, keeping in mind the information you provided to the company 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, companies 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 a company 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 TOPS Staffing 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 employees 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 TOPS Staffing 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.