Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association confirmed a data breach involving 20,997 individuals in August 2024. The breach was allegedly caused by the Akira ransomware group, which claimed to have stolen Social Security numbers, financial documents, and other sensitive data. However, Yazoo Valley has not verified these claims or disclosed the full scope of the compromised information.
The breach was detected around August 26, 2024, and after thorough investigation, Yazoo Valley identified that a limited amount of personal data may have been accessed.
The company completed its review in October 2024 and worked through December to notify impacted individuals. As a precautionary measure, free credit monitoring services have been offered through CyberScout to help victims mitigate identity theft risks. Enrollment for these services is open until April 30, 2025.
Yazoo Valley has not revealed whether the attackers received a ransom payment or how they breached the utility’s network. The company is still investigating the incident and working to enhance its security measures. Although some details remain unclear, the focus remains on protecting affected customers from further harm.
This incident underscores the rising risk of ransomware attacks on essential service providers. As Yazoo Valley continues its efforts to assist impacted individuals, the attack highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cybercriminals and the need for robust cybersecurity systems.
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