Posted On January 11, 2023 Consumer Privacy & Data Breaches
January 11, 2023 – Fidelity Building Services Group filed notice of a data breach with the Texas Attorney General on January 6, 2023 after confidential information was compromised by an unauthorized third party. According to the filing, the information that was accessed included first and last names, driver’s license numbers, government-issued identification numbers, and Social Security numbers. Once Fidelity confirmed the data breach, it sent notification letters to all individuals affected by the breach.
The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are actively investigating the Fidelity data breach. If you have received a breach notification and are interested in learning about the risks of identity theft and what you can do to protect yourself, we are offering free consultations where we can discuss your legal options for receiving compensation from Fidelity Building Services Group.
Based in Sparks, Maryland, Fidelity Building Services Group provides technical building services and solutions for the industrial and commercial facilities market. Fidelity Building was founded in 1945 and now employs more than 661 people and annually generates approximately $7 billion in revenue. Companies operated by Fidelity include United Mechanical, Fidel Power Systems, Systems Contractors, Central Tech Services, Lyons Company, South Florida Controls, Neumann Co., Air One Industries, Star Service, Inc., and many more.
The source of information regarding the data breach comes from Fidelity’s filing with the Attorney General of Texas. According to the filing, Fidelity discovered that an unauthorized party had gained access to confidential files containing consumer information. Little more is known about the breach as the information in the filing is limited.
Though it varies among victims, information that has been leaked includes consumer first and last names, driver’s license numbers, government-issued identification numbers, and Social Security numbers. On January 6, 2023, Fidelity sent data breach notification letters to all individuals affected by the attack. Fidelity has yet to reveal the total number of people affected by the breach, but per the Texas Attorney General’s reports, there are over 300 victims in Texas alone.
Identity theft is on the rise in the US. It is a crime that can be easily committed with the information taken in the Fidelity data breach. It’s a crime that costs hours to fix and requires a victim to take precautions for weeks and months following the incident of stolen information.
Though many people think that making charges in their name is the worst thing that can happen when someone gets their SSN, that’s really just the surface of it. Criminals are always looking for new ways to steal SSNs and use them to make money.
Hackers can charge credit cards that you already have, but they can also open new ones in your name. They can use all of the information taken in the data breach and apply for new credit cards and even loans online. Whatever information they need that they didn’t obtain in the attack is easily obtainable online.
Hackers can use your information or sell it on the dark web to those seeking free health care. As a victim of such fraud, this may leave you with medical bills that aren’t yours. Criminals receiving care under your name can also cause misinformation in your medical records, like your medications, medical history, and diagnoses.
One thing that most people might not think of is a cell phone account. With easily obtainable information, someone could open a cell phone account in a data breach victim’s name. Charges could include anything that can be placed on a bill, from phone services, data, cell phones, even accessories.
Tax refund fraud is the act of filing a tax refund with the intent to steal the return before the victim can file a return themselves. Something like this often can’t be detected until it’s too late. It’s not until the real person has filed their return and the state rejects it that as having already been filed that people will realize what has happened. That’s why it’s important to file your return as soon as possible. It’s the best way to prevent tax refund fraud.
The consumer privacy lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. help customers affected by data and security breaches pursue legal solutions by offering free consultations. By explaining your rights in clear, concise terms, we help you make an informed decision about your next steps. If you are a victim of the Fidelity Building Services Group data breach, Console & Associates, P.C. will investigate at no charge to you and offer advice on how to proceed. If you decide to pursue a case, rest assured that we don’t get paid unless you do. If your claim is successful, legal fees are either paid out of the funds recovered or by the defendant. If your claim is not successful, you pay nothing.
To schedule your free consultation, just call (866) 778-5500 today or fill out our secure contact form.
