Brighthouse Life Insurance Data Breach Exposes Social Security Numbers

On April 22, 2024, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (BLIC) experienced a data breach due to a malfunction in the faxing software of a third-party administrator. This software glitch resulted in correspondence containing sensitive information being sent to unintended recipients. The breach exposed the personal information of affected individuals, including their names, insurance policy numbers, and Social Security numbers.

The breach was disclosed to the Attorney General's office in Massachusetts, and you can find the official disclosure on the Massachusetts Attorney General's website.

Information Exposed

• Name
• Insurance policy number
• Social Security number

Brighthouse Life Insurance Company's Response

Upon being notified of the breach, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company determined that the event was an isolated incident. The third-party administrator confirmed that they identified and remediated the software malfunction. There is currently no evidence to suggest that any of the exposed information has been wrongfully used.

As a precautionary measure, BLIC has arranged for affected individuals to enroll in a complimentary credit monitoring service, myTrueIdentity, provided by TransUnion Interactive. This service will be available for 24 months at no cost to the affected individuals.

Steps to Take if You Are Affected by the Data Breach

If you have been affected by this data breach, it is important to take the following steps to protect your identity and personal information:

1. Enroll in Credit Monitoring: Brighthouse Life Insurance Company has arranged for you to enroll in myTrueIdentity, a credit monitoring service provided by TransUnion Interactive. You can enroll online at myTrueIdentity using the activation code provided in the notice sent to you. If you prefer an offline, paper-based service, call the TransUnion Fraud Response Services toll-free hotline at 1-855-288-5422 and use the telephone passcode 697684.
2. Review Account Statements and Credit Reports: Regularly check your account statements and credit reports for any suspicious activity. If you detect any unauthorized transactions, promptly notify the financial institution or company with which the account is maintained.
3. Place a Fraud Alert or Security Freeze: Consider placing a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit file. This will help warn creditors that recent fraudulent activity may have occurred and will prompt them to contact you before opening any new accounts. You can place a fraud alert by contacting the credit reporting agencies directly:
1. Equifax: 800-685-1111 or Equifax
2. Experian: 888-397-3742 or Experian
3. TransUnion: 800-680-7289 or TransUnion

1. Monitor Your Financial Statements: Keep an eye on your financial statements for any unauthorized activity. If you find any suspicious transactions, report them immediately.
2. File a Police Report if Necessary: If you find suspicious activity on your credit reports or believe your information is being misused, file a police report with your local law enforcement agency. Obtain a copy of the report as it may be needed to absolve you of fraudulent debts.
3. Report Identity Theft: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at FTC Identity Theft or call 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338). Your complaint will be added to the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, which is accessible to law enforcers for their investigations.