Pallet Logistics of America Data Breach Affects 18,264 Individuals

Pallet Logistics of America d/b/a PLA, a national supply chain solutions provider, experienced a significant data breach in 2024 that exposed sensitive personal information of thousands of individuals.

The breach occurred on two separate occasions, on July 25, 2024, and September 18, 2024, and was discovered by the company on October 18, 2024.

According to reports, the breach affected a total of 18,264 individuals across the United States. The types of information exposed included highly sensitive personal data, such as:

• Names
• Social Security numbers
• Driver’s license numbers

The breach was officially disclosed to state authorities, including the Maine Attorney General's Office, the Texas Attorney General's Office, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, and the California Attorney General's Office.

The state-by-state breakdown of affected individuals is as follows:

• Texas: 1,115 individuals
• Maine: 3 individuals
• Massachusetts: 3 individuals

The company notified affected individuals via written notice sent through U.S. Mail on November 12, 2024. While the exact method of the breach has not been disclosed, the exposure of Social Security numbers and driver’s license information indicates a severe compromise of sensitive data.

In response to the breach, Pallet Logistics of America took steps to notify affected individuals and relevant state authorities. The company issued written notices to consumers on November 12, 2024, detailing the breach and the types of information exposed.

Additionally, the company complied with state data breach notification laws by reporting the incident to the attorneys general of Maine, Texas, Massachusetts, and California.

While the company has not publicly disclosed specific measures taken to prevent future breaches, notifying affected individuals and authorities is a standard first step in addressing such incidents.

If you received a notice from Pallet Logistics of America regarding this data breach, it is important to take immediate steps to protect yourself from potential identity theft or fraud. Given the sensitive nature of the exposed information, including Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers, consider the following actions:

1. Monitor your credit report: Request a free credit report from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and review it for any unauthorized activity.
2. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze: A fraud alert notifies creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
3. Enroll in identity theft protection services: If the company offers complimentary identity theft protection or credit monitoring services, take advantage of them. These services can help detect and mitigate fraudulent activity.
4. Secure your Social Security number: Be cautious about sharing your Social Security number and consider contacting the Social Security Administration to monitor its use.
5. Replace your driver’s license if necessary: If your driver’s license number was exposed, contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to discuss whether you should request a replacement.
6. Be vigilant against phishing attempts: Scammers may use the breach to target affected individuals with fraudulent emails or phone calls. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and verify the legitimacy of any requests for personal information.

By taking these steps, you can reduce the risk of identity theft and better protect your personal information.