Posted On April 12, 2023 Consumer Privacy & Data Breaches
April 12 – After hearing about a data breach at one of Webster Bank’s vendors, Guardian Analytics, Inc., on April 10, 2023, Webster Bank notified the Maine Attorney General that a data breach had occurred. According to the report filed by the corporation, the event led to the exposure of 191,563 customers’ personal information, including names, account numbers, and Social Security numbers. Webster Bank began mailing data breach notification letters to all customers affected by the recent data security incident once it was confirmed that customer data was compromised.
If you’ve been notified of a data breach, it’s crucial that you know what is at stake. Console & Associates, P.C., data breach lawyers that represent victims of data breaches, are currently looking into the Webster Bank hack on behalf of those whose information was compromised. To help with this investigation, we are offering free consultations to anyone impacted by the breach who is concerned about the possibility of identity theft, what steps they may take to protect themselves, and whether or not they have legal recourse to seek compensation from Webster Bank.
Checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, and loans are just some of the products and services that Webster Bank provides to its individual and business customers. Webster Bank has 177 locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Westchester County, New York, with headquarters in Stamford. Webster Financial Corporation, a much larger financial services provider, owns Webster Bank. Webster Bank has a workforce of around 4,065 individuals and an annual revenue of almost $2.5 billion.
The Maine Attorney General was informed by Webster Bank on January 26, 2023, that a data security incident had occurred at one of Webster Bank’s vendors, Guardian Analytics, Inc. As a result, Guardian has begun looking into the incident to see what kind of customer information was compromised and how.
The Guardian’s probe revealed that between November 27, 2022 and January 22, 2023, an outsider gained access to its network. Webster Bank found out after the fact that some of the client’s private information was stored in files the unknown party had accessed.
Webster Bank immediately launched an investigation of the affected files after learning that sensitive customer data had been made available to an unauthorized entity. Information such as names, financial account details, and Social Security numbers may have been compromised, albeit the exact details vary on the individual.
Webster Bank notified customers on April 10, 2023, that their personal information may have been compromised due to a data breach.
When a firm suffers a data breach, it is usually because criminals have found a way to steal sensitive customer information by evading the organization’s data protection measures. Identity theft is just one of many types of fraud that can be committed with stolen information. In this sense, the perpetrators of these attacks are hackers. However, tracking down a hacker after a breach is difficult, and if you do manage to track them down, they may lack the financial means to pay a judgment even if you win.
It’s not so simple to assign exclusive guilt to the hacker who initiated an attack on sensitive information. Victims of a data breach in the United States may be entitled to file a claim for financial compensation against the organization that suffered the cyberattack, thanks to the country’s data breach legislation.
A corporation that experiences a data breach can be considered a victim. However, businesses that collect and store customer data also serve as the first and last lines of protection against hacking. As a result, the only “innocent victims” of a data breach are the consumers whose information is compromised.
In light of this reality, both state and federal law impose strict requirements on businesses that collect or agree to maintain personally identifiable information. Therefore, in some situations, the attacked business may be responsible for the victim’s damages.
Some examples of companies being negligent with customer information are:
Companies with customer data in the United States are required by law to take reasonable precautions to protect such data against loss, theft, or unauthorized access. Companies’ financial liability following a data breach depends on the degree to which they were negligent in handling customers’ personal information. Naturally, the regulations governing such claims are intricate, and it isn’t always simple to ascertain whether or not a firm was negligent in the events preceding a breach. Therefore, a data breach attorney should be consulted by anyone curious about data breach claims.
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 Webster Bank 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.
Below is a portion of the letter sent to affected individuals:
Dear [Redacted],
We wanted to make you aware of a data security incident that affected Guardian Analytics, Inc. a third-party vendor that provides fraud detection services to Webster Bank. This letter is to provide you with details of what happened, the measures we have taken in response, and to provide you with details on proactive steps you may consider to help protect your information.
What Happened? On January 26, 2023, Webster learned that Guardian experienced a data security incident that affected a select number of Webster clients. According to Guardian, upon detecting the incident, Guardian immediately activated their incident response plan and retained a third-party cybersecurity firm to conduct an investigation. Guardian’s investigation revealed that unauthorized third parties accessed certain Guardian systems at various times between November 27, 2022 – January 22, 2023. During that time, the unauthorized third parties acquired files that contained Webster clients’ personal information from Guardian’s systems and later posted the acquired files on the internet.
What Information Was Involved? Webster reviewed the data that was taken from Guardian’s systems and determined that it contained some of your personal information: your name, Social Security number and financial account number.
What We Are Doing? Webster has retained third parties to assist with our independent investigation. Additionally, Webster is working with Guardian to ensure they implement enhanced security measures to safeguard their network, systems, and data, including that of Webster’s clients. Guardian informed Webster that it has notified law enforcement and is cooperating with their investigation.
What You Can Do? Please review the “Information About Identity Theft Protection” reference guide (enclosed), which describes additional steps you may take to help protect yourself, including recommendations from the Federal Trade Commission regarding identity theft protection and details regarding placing a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit file.
For More Information. If you have any questions or need additional information, please call 800-910-5176, toll-free Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time (excluding major U.S. holidays). The security of your information remains the utmost priority for us. We apologize for the inconvenience and regret that this data incident happened at Guardian. We value our clients and thank you for doing business with Webster.
