Crown Equipment Corp Data Breach: affects 13,858 Individuals, includes social security numbers

On June 9, 2024, Crown Equipment Corporation discovered a significant data breach. This breach affected 13,858 individuals across the United States, including 669 in Texas and 27 in Maine.

The breach was discovered when Crown identified that a third party had gained unauthorized access to specific systems within their IT environment. In response, Crown quickly deployed security measures to contain and mitigate the threat.

The compromised data included:

• Names
• Social Security Numbers
• Driver’s License Numbers
• Financial Information (e.g., account numbers, credit or debit card numbers)
• Health Information

The breach's severity is underscored by the nature of the exposed data, which includes highly sensitive personal and financial details. This information could potentially be used for identity theft or other malicious activities.

Crown's Response

In response to the data breach, Crown took immediate action by deploying security measures and taking systems offline to conduct a thorough investigation. They retained a leading cybersecurity incident response team to accelerate recovery efforts. Crown also notified federal law enforcement agencies, who provided support to protect the company's data and employees.

Additionally, Crown is offering free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to affected individuals. These services include Triple Bureau Credit Monitoring, Triple Bureau Credit Report, and Triple Bureau Credit Score services for 24 months. Affected individuals can enroll in these services by visiting https://bfs.cyberscout.com/activate and using the unique code provided in their notification letter.

Steps for Affected Individuals

If you have been affected by this data breach, there are several steps you should take to protect yourself:

1. Enroll in Credit Monitoring Services: Take advantage of the free credit monitoring services offered by Crown. Visit https://bfs.cyberscout.com/activate and use your unique code to enroll.
2. Review Your Credit Reports: Obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies by visiting Annual Credit Report or calling 1-877-322-8228.
3. Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review your account statements and credit reports for any unauthorized activity.
4. Place Fraud Alerts: Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report to notify creditors of potential identity theft.
5. Implement a Security Freeze: You can place a security freeze on your credit file to prevent new credit accounts from being opened in your name without your consent.
6. Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice any suspicious activity, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at FTC Identity Theft or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).

About Crown Equipment Corporation (Crown)

Crown Equipment Corporation, headquartered in New Bremen, Ohio, is one of the world’s largest material handling companies. Known for its advanced product design, engineering, and integrated manufacturing processes, Crown offers a broad range of forklifts, automation, and fleet management technologies.

For further details on the breach, you can refer to the Maine Attorney General's website, the Texas Attorney General's website, and the Massachusetts Attorney General's website.