Client Customer Data is Lost In Credit Control Corporation Breach

Credit Control Corporation, or CCC, is a Virginia-based company that offers debt collection solutions to different companies. The organization provides budget planning services, follows up with third-party insurance offers, handles cash flow improvement programs, and more. This business is made up of 25 individuals and generates approximately $7 million in revenue annually. The company handles information for a large number of people, which is why it's upsetting to learn the company experienced a data breach and that personal information was lost in the breach. 

How Did the Attack Occur?

According to all the statements, the Credit Control Corporation data breach occurred when one or more people made unauthorized access to the company's file network. Once inside that network, the attackers began downloading files and saving confidential data. It's unclear exactly what the hackers were after, but later investigations confirmed that mostly personal data was taken from the servers. According to later investigations, the attack began on March 2, 2023, and persisted until March 7, 2023. CCC cut off access to its file servers on March 7, 2023, and began the investigation that would later uncover what data was lost in this breach. 

What Information Was Viewed or Stolen?

The main information that was taken in these data breaches was Social Security numbers and the full names of the affected individuals. These two details are enough to cause real problems for anyone impacted by the breach. With these details, attackers can leverage fraudulent attacks. The details taken weren't trivial, as they could still cause some real damage. Anyone involved should be aware that they are at risk. 

How Did Credit Control Corporation Admit to the Breach?

Credit Control Corporation sent a notice to the Main Attorney General on May 15, 2023, informing the official office that the breach occurred. Along with sending in that report, the company also created personal letters and mailed them to all the potential victims on the same date. If your data was involved in this breach, it's likely that you'll receive a notice from the company informing you of that. 

What Will Become of the Stolen Information?

While it's impossible to say how the CCC information will be used specifically, we can speculate that the data will be used for fraud. Many hackers leverage names and Social Security Numbers in an effort to open credit accounts and make unauthorized purchases. If your data was taken from this attack, you could be at risk for an identity theft attack from the hackers. 

What Should Affected Parties Do in the Aftermath of the Breach?

If you receive a notice from CCC, you should take immediate steps to safeguard yourself. The best way to do this is to monitor your credit. You need to watch what's happening to your credit so you know if any fraudulent activities are occurring. Invest in a credit monitoring service to keep an eye on your credit. Such a service will alert you whenever changes are made to one of your credit histories. You can also request to put a freeze on your credit to protect yourself, but this will stop you from opening any accounts yourself as well.