Van Wagner Data Breach Affects 5,354 Individuals

On August 27, 2024, Van Wagner Group, LLC, discovered a data breach that had occurred earlier in the month, on August 3, 2024. This breach has affected a total of 5,354 individuals across the United States, with 23 of those affected residing in the state of Maine.

The breach involved unauthorized access to sensitive consumer information, which included:

• Names
• Addresses
• Dates of birth
• Email addresses
• Social Security numbers

In response to the breach, Van Wagner Group has taken steps to notify affected consumers. They sent out written notices on October 31, 2024, informing individuals of the breach and the specific information that may have been compromised.

If you have been notified by Van Wagner Group that your information was part of this breach, there are several important steps you should consider taking to protect yourself:

1. Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious activity. Promptly report any unauthorized transactions to your financial institution.
2. Credit Monitoring: Consider enrolling in a credit monitoring service. These services can alert you to changes in your credit report that may indicate fraudulent activity.
3. Fraud Alerts: Place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). This makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
4. Credit Freeze: If you are particularly concerned about identity theft, you might consider placing a credit freeze on your files. This prevents creditors from accessing your credit report, making it more difficult for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
5. Change Passwords: Update passwords for your online accounts, especially if you use the same password across multiple sites. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.

By taking these precautions, you can help mitigate the potential impact of the data breach on your personal information and financial security.

The breach was reported to the Maine Attorney General's office and other relevant authorities. You can find more details about the disclosure on the Maine Attorney General's website, the Massachusetts Attorney General's website, and the California Attorney General's website.