US Merchants Financial Group, Inc., based in Beverly Hills, California, reported a data breach to the Attorney General of California in which sensitive personal identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI) stored within its systems may have been accessed and acquired by an unauthorized individual. The breach was discovered on or around February 13, 2024, when US Merchants became aware that an unknown actor had gained access to its computer network. This discovery prompted the company to launch a thorough investigation to determine the extent of the breach and to identify the information that may have been impacted.
The investigation revealed that personal information, including Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, alien registration numbers, passport numbers, and health information, may have been accessed during the incident. Although the company could not confirm any misuse of the exposed data, the breach potentially affected individuals whose information was stored in its systems. US Merchants took immediate action by reviewing the data to assess what specific information was compromised and by identifying the individuals whose information was involved in the breach.
In response to the breach, US Merchants began notifying the affected individuals on September 3, 2024, through data breach notification letters. The letters outlined the types of sensitive information that may have been compromised and provided instructions on how individuals could protect themselves. As part of its response, US Merchants is offering impacted individuals 12 months of complimentary credit monitoring services to help mitigate the risks of identity theft and fraud. The company also emphasized that it is taking additional steps to strengthen its security measures to prevent future incidents.
US Merchants, a packaging and container manufacturing company founded in 1982, is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. The company operates across the United States and employs over 1,000 individuals. With its wide range of products, including consumer product displays and injection-molded storage items, US Merchants has a longstanding commitment to quality and safety. Despite the breach, the company is actively working to enhance its cybersecurity efforts and ensure that such an event does not happen again.
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