Bank of Canton Data Breach

What Happened?

On September 22, 2023, the Bank of Canton identified a data breach involving one of their service providers. This incident was part of a global cybersecurity issue affecting the MOVEit Managed File Transfer application used by many companies for secure data transfer. The vulnerability in MOVEit allowed unauthorized access to data, which was discovered by Progress Software. The breach specifically impacted information stored by the Bank of Canton's third-party provider, potentially exposing sensitive customer data.

The compromised data includes details related to Bank of Canton deposit accounts, such as account names, numbers, and Social Security numbers. Fortunately, there is currently no evidence suggesting that this exposed information has been used maliciously.

Steps Taken by Bank of Canton

In response to the breach, Bank of Canton has been actively working with the affected service provider to ascertain the full scope and impact of the incident. The service provider has patched the vulnerabilities and taken steps to secure the system against future breaches. Additionally, Bank of Canton is enhancing its monitoring processes to detect and respond to suspicious activities more effectively.

To support customers potentially impacted by this breach, Bank of Canton is offering 24 months of complimentary identity monitoring services through Kroll. These services include credit monitoring, fraud consultation, and identity theft restoration.

What You Can Do

If you believe you might be affected by this breach, it is crucial to stay vigilant and take steps to protect your personal information. Here are some actions you can consider:

1. Enroll in Identity Monitoring Services: Take advantage of the free services provided by Kroll. You have 90 days from receiving your notice to enroll.
2. Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review your bank statements and credit reports for any unauthorized activity. You can obtain a free credit report annually from AnnualCreditReport.com.
3. Set Up Alerts: Consider setting up alerts with your financial institutions to notify you of any unusual activities.
4. Consider a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze: Placing a fraud alert on your credit files makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name. Alternatively, a credit freeze will prevent creditors from accessing your credit report entirely.
5. Stay Informed: Regularly check your email for updates from Bank of Canton and be cautious of phishing attempts. Ensure any communication you receive is from a verified source.

For more detailed information on how to protect yourself, please refer to the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on identity theft, which offers additional resources and contact information for reporting suspicious activities.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Bank of Canton’s dedicated support line for this incident at (866) 846-0597, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding major holidays.

For more information about Bank of Canton and regular updates, please visit their official website.

This incident has also been reported to the Maine Attorney General's office, and you can view the official disclosure here.

By taking proactive steps and utilizing the resources available, you can help safeguard your personal information from potential misuse following this data breach.