SouthStar Bank Data Breach

The Phishing Incident and Data Breach at SouthStar Bank

On November 6, 2023, SouthStar Bank detected a phishing campaign aimed at its employees, which led to unauthorized access to one employee's email account. The breach was first noticed due to unusual activity, prompting an immediate investigation. The compromised account was promptly secured, but not before the unauthorized access occurred from October 27, 2023, to November 6, 2023. A detailed forensic investigation by a leading security firm confirmed the breach and helped to reinforce the security measures of the bank's email systems.

Information Exposed

During the breach, certain types of personal information were exposed, which included:

• Personal identification numbers
• Account numbers
• Social security numbers
• Email addresses
• Residential addresses

SouthStar Bank, S.S.B's Response

Upon discovering the breach, SouthStar Bank took immediate action to contain the incident and prevent further unauthorized access. The bank engaged a forensic security firm to conduct a thorough investigation and to ensure the integrity of their email systems. In response to the findings, SouthStar Bank has implemented enhanced security measures to strengthen the protection of sensitive customer information.

To support those potentially affected by the breach, SouthStar Bank is offering a complimentary two-year membership to Experian IdentityWorks Credit 3B. This service includes credit monitoring and identity theft protection. Affected individuals are encouraged to activate this service to protect against potential misuse of their information. For more details and to enroll, visit Experian IdentityWorks.

Steps to Take if You Are Affected

If you believe your information may have been compromised in this breach, it is important to take action to protect yourself from potential identity theft:

1. Enroll in the provided Experian IdentityWorks Credit 3B service to monitor your credit and receive alerts for any suspicious activities.
2. Regularly review your bank statements and credit reports for any unauthorized transactions or changes. You can obtain a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus annually at AnnualCreditReport.com.
3. Consider placing a fraud alert or a security freeze on your credit reports. This can make it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name. More information can be found directly on the websites of the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
4. Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to your financial institution immediately.

About SouthStar Bank, S.S.B

SouthStar Bank, S.S.B., headquartered in Moulton, TX, is a reputable institution specializing in residential mortgage, real estate, and construction lending. With a heritage spanning over 100 years, the bank operates 15 full-service branches across Central Texas and holds assets exceeding $1 billion. SouthStar Bank is committed to community involvement and maintaining strong personal relationships with its clients, offering modern conveniences like online and mobile banking services. For more information, visit their official website at SouthStar Bank.

For further details on the breach and to view the official Notice to Consumers, please refer to the disclosure on the Massachusetts Attorney General's website.