Wright, Moore, DeHart, Dupuis & Hutchinson (WMDDH), a public accounting firm based in Lafayette, Louisiana, has notified over 127,000 individuals about a data breach that exposed their sensitive personal information. The breach, identified on July 11, 2023, was discovered when unusual network activity was observed on the firm’s systems. However, it took the company approximately ten months to determine the identities of the affected individuals and an additional two months to gather the necessary contact information to notify them. The breach compromised a wide range of personal data, including names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, passport numbers, financial account details, and medical treatment information.
The breach was reported to the Maine Attorney General’s Office, and in the official notification to impacted individuals, WMDDH explained the situation and the data that had been compromised. The firm has taken responsibility for the delay in identifying and notifying the affected individuals, and it has offered one year of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to help mitigate potential risks for those impacted. These services are intended to provide a layer of security for those whose sensitive data was exposed during the breach.
WMDDH’s breach affected a large number of individuals across multiple sectors, making it one of the more significant breaches in recent months. The firm’s clients, who range from individuals to businesses seeking accounting, audit, consulting, and tax services, were informed about the breach and were encouraged to take additional steps to protect their information. The firm emphasized the importance of enrolling in the credit monitoring and identity theft protection services provided and carefully reviewing the notification for further guidance.
Despite the breach’s potential impact, the company’s quick actions to offer protective services demonstrate a commitment to mitigating the damage. As a result of the breach, WMDDH has taken additional precautions to prevent future incidents and improve its cybersecurity measures. The firm continues to monitor the situation and work with cybersecurity experts to ensure the security of its systems and to protect the privacy of its clients.
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