Financial Business and Consumer Solutions (FBCS) Data Breach Exposes Millions of Americans’ Personal Information

A data breach at US debt collection company Financial Business and Consumer Solutions (FBCS) has compromised the personal information of over 3.2 million Americans. The breach, occurring on Valentine’s Day, was not detected until February 26. FBCS disclosed the incident, describing it as “unauthorized access to certain systems in its network,” but the public notice was not issued until late April, followed by additional alerts in May.

FBCS clarified that the notification delay was not due to a law enforcement investigation but was part of the company’s internal probe, with federal authorities being notified. The breach exposed a wide range of personal data, including names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, state ID numbers, medical claims data, and medical records. However, FBCS noted that not all affected individuals had all these data points leaked.

FBCS serves business clients in healthcare, student loans, auto loans, and credit industries. The US Federal Trade Commission advises individuals affected by this breach to report the incident. Additionally, FBCS recommends that impacted individuals check their credit reports for any signs of identity theft and is offering free credit monitoring services through Cyex.

Data breaches have become increasingly common in the US, affecting a diverse range of industries. Recent victims include Home Depot, UnitedHealth, Dropbox, Dell, Microsoft, Framework, and Christie’s auction house, highlighting the widespread nature of these cyberattacks.

To protect yourself, it’s crucial to remain vigilant, monitor your credit reports, and take preventive measures to secure your personal information against future breaches.