
Ally Bank announced a data breach in February 2023, affecting over 100,000 customers.
The breach occurred due to a vulnerability in the bank's online platform.
This incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in protecting sensitive customer information.
Ally Bank has taken steps to notify affected customers and offer credit monitoring services to mitigate potential harm.
The bank has also implemented additional security measures to prevent similar breaches in the future.
What Happened
Ally Bank notified the Massachusetts Attorney General's office on April 23 that an unauthorized party may have accessed personal data through a vendor's systems.
The information involved included Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and auto account numbers. Ally sent a notice letter to the Massachusetts attorney general's office on May 23 disclosing the breach.
Ally first learned that an unauthorized third party gained access to its systems on April 23. The company failed to encrypt or redact the personally identifying information of its customers.
A computer forensics firm was contracted to investigate and secure the impacted systems. Customers' PII stolen from Ally was then sold on the dark web.
Sebastian Owens, a South Carolina resident, filed a proposed class-action lawsuit after finding his credit report listed an auto loan he didn't take out. This caused his credit score to "precipitously drop."
Robert Hamilton, a Texas resident, also filed a similar complaint arguing that he and thousands of others are owed damages because Ally did not protect their data. He received a letter from Ally on August 30 notifying him that he was affected by a breach.
Impact and Protection
The Ally bank customer data breach has left many customers feeling vulnerable and unsure of how to protect themselves.
Ally bank's data breach exposed sensitive information, including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers.
The breach occurred due to a software vulnerability that was exploited by an attacker.
Customers who were affected by the breach were sent a notification by Ally bank, but some may still be unaware of the situation.
Ally bank is offering free credit monitoring and identity theft protection to affected customers.
The company is also working with law enforcement to investigate the breach and prevent future incidents.
It's essential for customers to be proactive in protecting their personal data, especially after a breach.
Customers can do this by monitoring their accounts regularly and reporting any suspicious activity to Ally bank.
Bank Faces Negligence Suit
Ally Bank is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit due to a cybersecurity breach that may have impacted billions of customers.
The lawsuit claims that the bank compromised personal data in an April data breach.
A thorough investigation into the breach is needed to determine the full extent of the damage and who is responsible.
The bank's handling of the breach is under scrutiny, and customers are left wondering if their sensitive information is at risk.
Customers who may have been affected by the breach are advised to keep a close eye on their accounts and report any suspicious activity immediately.
The lawsuit seeks damages for the bank's alleged negligence in protecting customer data.
Data Leak Details
Ally Bank's cybersecurity practices were deemed "unreasonable and inadequate" by a proposed class-action lawsuit, which claims they left potentially billions of customers' personal data exposed to theft.
The lawsuit states that Ally Bank failed to encrypt or redact customers' personally identifying information, making it vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Ally Bank's platform is used for banking, home and auto loans, and other services, but it lacked widely available software to detect and prevent cyberattacks.
The company first learned of the breach on April 23, but it took them until May 23 to disclose the affected information to the Massachusetts attorney general's office.
Affected customers' information included Social Security numbers, birthdates, and auto account numbers, which were then sold on the dark web.
None of the impacted customers have received notification from Ally Bank yet, according to the lawsuit.
Ally Bank had 11 million customers in 2023, which is a significant number, but the lawsuit estimates that the actual number of individuals affected could range into the billions.
Customers affected by the breach had their personal data compromised, including one customer who found an auto loan on their credit report that they didn't take out, causing their credit score to drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find out if my data has been breached?
Yes, you can check if your data has been breached with Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection, which scans leaked data to see if your email address and phone number have been exposed
Has Ally Bank been hacked?
Yes, Ally Bank experienced a data breach in April 2024, exposing sensitive customer information. Learn more about the breach and its impact on customers.
Sources
- https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/ally-breach-may-have-leaked-consumer-data-of-billions-suit-says
- https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/identity-theft/ally-bank-may-have-compromised-your-personal-data-in-an-april-data-breach/
- https://money.com/ally-data-breach-lawsuits-2024/
- https://www.americanbanker.com/news/two-lawsuits-accuse-ally-bank-of-failing-to-protect-customer-data
- https://www.law360.com/articles/1877804/ally-bank-hit-with-negligence-suit-over-data-breach
Featured Images: pexels.com