FBCS Data Breach Exposes Sensitive info of 129,514 Texans

On December 3, 2024, a data breach involving Christine C. Shubert, Chapter 7 Trustee for the estate of Financial Business and Consumer Solutions, was disclosed to the Texas Attorney General's office. This breach exposed sensitive consumer information, including Social Security numbers, affecting 129,514 individuals in the state of Texas alone.

The breach appears to have compromised sensitive personal information, which could potentially lead to identity theft or fraud. The exact method by which the data was accessed or stolen has not been disclosed. However, the severity of the breach is significant due to the type of information exposed.

The disclosure of this breach to the Texas Attorney General's office can be found on the Texas Attorney General's Data Breach Reports page.

The Trustee's response

Christine C. Shubert, acting as the Chapter 7 Trustee for the estate of FBCS, has notified affected individuals via U.S. Mail. This method of communication ensures that those impacted are directly informed and can take steps to protect themselves. However, no additional details about further actions or preventative measures taken by the company have been provided at this time.

What the reader should do if they are affected by the data breach

If you have received a notification via U.S. Mail indicating that you were affected by this breach, it is essential to act promptly to safeguard your personal information. Since Social Security numbers were exposed, there is a heightened risk of identity theft. Here are steps you should take:

1. Monitor your credit reports: Obtain free copies of your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com. Check for any unauthorized or suspicious activity.
2. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze: A fraud alert notifies creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report entirely, making it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
3. Sign up for identity theft protection services: If offered by FBCS or the trustee, take advantage of any complimentary credit monitoring or identity theft protection services. These services can provide additional monitoring and alerts.
4. File your taxes early: Filing your taxes as soon as possible reduces the risk of someone else filing a fraudulent tax return using your Social Security number.
5. Be cautious of phishing scams: Scammers may attempt to exploit this situation by sending fraudulent emails or calls pretending to be from FBCS or other trusted entities. Do not share personal information unless you are certain of the source.
6. Report identity theft: If you suspect that your information has been misused, report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.

By taking these steps, you can mitigate the risks associated with this breach and better protect your personal information.