TitleMax, a prominent lending company, experienced a data breach in February 2023, compromising personal information. TMX Finance, the parent company, disclosed the breach in March 2023. A class-action lawsuit was filed against TMX Finance, alleging negligence and delayed notification to consumers. The breach was one of the largest in the U.S. for the first half of the year, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.
How many accounts were compromised?
The breach impacted data related to nearly 5 million individuals.
What data was leaked?
The data exposed in the breach included names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, passport numbers, driver's license numbers, tax ID numbers, federal/state ID card numbers, financial account details, phone numbers, home addresses, and email addresses, as well as payment card data, including credit/debit card numbers in combination with security codes, access codes, passwords, or PINs for the accounts.
How was TitleMax hacked?
The exact method used by attackers to breach TitleMax's servers remains unclear. However, TMX Finance detected suspicious activity on their systems and promptly hired a third-party incident response firm to investigate the breach.
TitleMax's solution
In response to the hack, TitleMax implemented additional security measures, such as resetting all employee passwords. The company also immediately retained global forensic cybersecurity experts to help investigate the breach, which remains an ongoing process. While specific details about enhanced security protocols or the removal of malware and backdoors are not available, TitleMax has taken steps to address the breach and protect its customers' information. Affected customers were notified by TMX Finance and advised to remain vigilant against potential identity theft and fraud.
How do I know if I was affected?
TitleMax, through its parent company TMX Finance, notified affected customers about the breach. If you are a TitleMax customer and have not received a notification, you can visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.
What should affected users do?
In general, affected users should:
Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for all accounts that may have been affected. Make sure the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.
Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on your accounts whenever possible. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your financial accounts and credit reports for any suspicious activity. Report any unauthorized transactions or signs of identity theft to the appropriate authorities.
For more specific help and instructions related to TitleMax's data breach, please contact TitleMax support directly.
Where can I go to learn more?
If you want to find more information on the TitleMax data breach, check out the following news articles:
