Lee University Data Breach Exposes Social Security Numbers

On March 9, 2024, Lee University experienced a significant data breach that compromised sensitive personal information of 136,928 individuals in the United States

Lee University officially notified various state authorities about the breach in late March 2025 with details about the types of information compromised and the number of affected individuals for some states..

Information Exposed:

• Name of individual
• Social Security Number Information
• Driver’s License number
• Government-issued ID number (e.g. passport, state ID card)
• Financial Information (e.g. account number, credit or debit card number)
• Medical Information

Impact by State:

• South Carolina: 3,289 residents
• Texas: 3,042 residents
• New Hampshire: 139 residents
• California: at least 500 (statutory minimum requiring a disclosure)

Currently, the university has not publicly disclosed how the breach occurred or who was responsible for the cyberattack. The absence of this information makes it difficult to assess the full severity and scope of the incident. However, due to the sensitive nature of the exposed data, affected individuals should consider the breach serious and take immediate steps to protect themselves from potential identity theft or financial fraud.

Lee University's response

In response to the data breach, Lee University has notified affected individuals directly via U.S. mail and has also posted a detailed notice on its official website. The university advises affected individuals to closely monitor their financial accounts and credit reports for any suspicious activity.

To further assist affected individuals, Lee University recommends placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on credit files. Affected individuals can contact the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to initiate these protective measures. Additionally, individuals should consider enrolling in credit monitoring services to receive immediate alerts about any unusual activity.

About Lee University

Lee University is a private, comprehensive Christian university located in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Founded in 1918, the university has grown significantly and is now one of the largest Christ-centered private institutions in Tennessee.

The university offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate academic programs through its six schools: School of Business, College of Arts & Sciences, Helen DeVos College of Education, School of Music, School of Religion, and School of Nursing. Lee University emphasizes community engagement, service learning, and global perspectives, and is consistently ranked in the "Top Tier" of Best Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report.

As of fall 2023, Lee University enrolls approximately 3,680 students and maintains a 127-acre campus.

Sources

• Texas Attorney General
• California Attorney General
• New Hampshire Attorney General
• Vermont Attorney General
• South Carolina Attorney General
• Lee University Notice of Data Breach