HR firm confirms 4 million records exposed in major hack

Data breaches have become increasingly common and costly in recent years, with sensitive information at risk of being exposed. The United States has seen a significant rise in the number of data breaches, from 447 in 2012 to over 3,200 in 2023. Even companies entrusted with managing personal information are not immune to these cyber threats.

One recent example is VeriSource Services, a Texas-based employee benefits and HR administration provider that fell victim to a major data breach. The breach, which occurred in February 2024, exposed the personal information of approximately 4 million individuals. It took the company over a year to fully assess the impact of the breach, highlighting a critical failure for an organization specializing in data management and HR support services.

VeriSource discovered the breach when it noticed unusual activity disrupting its systems. An investigation revealed that unknown hackers had gained unauthorized access to the company’s sensitive personal records, including individuals’ full names, mailing addresses, dates of birth, gender, and Social Security numbers. This criminal cyberattack was carried out by external threat actors, rather than an insider mishandling data.

For those affected by the VeriSource data breach, there are real risks of identity theft and targeted phishing scams. The delay in fully notifying all individuals impacted by the breach is concerning, as many victims did not learn of the breach until more than a year after their information was compromised.

To protect yourself after the VeriSource data breach, consider using a personal data removal service to remove your information from public databases. Additionally, safeguard against identity theft, set up fraud alerts, monitor your credit reports regularly, and be wary of social engineering attacks. Strong antivirus software can also help protect your personal information and digital assets from cyber threats.

The VeriSource breach serves as a reminder of the importance of timely and transparent communication following a data breach. Companies should face stricter penalties for delayed breach notifications to ensure accountability and protect individuals’ sensitive information. As organizations continue to navigate the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, prioritizing data security and prompt response to breaches is essential in safeguarding against potential harm.