Byte Federal Bitcoin ATMs Data Breach Affects 58,000 Americans

Byte Federal Inc., one of the largest Bitcoin ATM operators in the United States, experienced a significant data breach that affected approximately 58,000 individuals nationwide. The breach occurred on September 30, 2024, and was discovered by the company on November 18, 2024. Byte Federal disclosed the breach to various state attorneys general in December 2024.

The breach exposed a wide range of sensitive consumer information, including:

• Names
• Social Security numbers
• Driver’s license numbers
• Government-issued ID numbers (e.g., passport, state ID card)
• Dates of birth
• Addresses
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Transaction activity
• Photographs of users
• Financial account information
• Payment card information
• Medical information
• Health insurance information

The severity of this breach is notable, given the breadth of sensitive data exposed. The exact method by which the breach occurred has not been disclosed, but the compromised information could lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and other malicious activities if exploited.

The impact of the breach varied by state. For example, 2,338 individuals in Texas, 1,626 in South Carolina, 791 in Massachusetts, and 111 in Maine were affected. Byte Federal notified consumers of the breach on December 12, 2024, via written communication.

For more details, you can view the official disclosures provided to the attorneys general of California, Maine, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Texas.

Byte Federal's response

In response to the data breach, Byte Federal has taken steps to notify affected individuals and comply with state reporting requirements. The company submitted detailed breach notifications to multiple state attorneys general, including California, Maine, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Texas, between December 12 and December 17, 2024. They also reached out directly to affected consumers via written notices starting on December 12, 2024.

While specific details of Byte Federal’s remediation efforts have not been disclosed, it is expected that the company is working to enhance its cybersecurity measures to prevent future incidents. Consumers are encouraged to review the official notices linked above for further information.

Steps to take if you are affected by the data breach

If you believe you may have been affected by the Byte Federal data breach, it’s crucial to take immediate action to protect yourself. Given the sensitivity and variety of information exposed, follow these steps:

1. Monitor your financial accounts: Regularly check your bank accounts, credit card statements, and other financial accounts for unauthorized transactions.
2. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze: Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert or freeze your credit to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Review your credit reports: Obtain free copies of your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and look for any unfamiliar accounts or inquiries.
4. Change your passwords: Update passwords for your online accounts, especially if you use the same credentials across multiple platforms.
5. Be cautious of phishing attempts: Be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls, or messages requesting personal information. Scammers may use the stolen data to impersonate legitimate entities.
6. Consider identity theft protection services: If you are concerned about the potential misuse of your information, consider enrolling in an identity theft protection service.
7. Report suspicious activity: If you notice any signs of identity theft or fraud, report it immediately to your financial institution, local law enforcement, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.

By taking these steps, you can mitigate the potential risks associated with this breach.