Conduent Data Breach Impacts Over 181,000 New Hampshire Residents
A significant data breach affecting residents of New Hampshire has expanded, with Conduent, a New Jersey-based business process solutions and services company, now reporting that over 181,000 individuals may have had their personal information compromised. This represents a substantial increase from initial reports in October.
Initial Reports and Expanding Scope
Conduent first notified the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office in October, indicating that approximately 11,000 residents were affected by the breach. However, subsequent notifications – a total of four additional letters – have revealed a far wider impact. The latest update brings the total number of potentially affected individuals to over 181,000. The compromised data includes sensitive information such as names and Social Security numbers, raising serious concerns about potential identity theft and fraud.
What Information Was Compromised?
According to Conduent, the data potentially exposed in the breach includes:
- Names
- Social Security Numbers
This type of information is highly valuable to cybercriminals and can be used for a variety of malicious purposes. Residents are urged to take immediate steps to protect themselves (see resources below).
What is Conduent?
Conduent is a global company specializing in business process outsourcing, offering services like document management, customer care, and technology solutions to various industries, including healthcare, government, and financial services. They provide back-office support for numerous organizations, making this breach particularly concerning due to the wide range of potentially affected individuals.
Protecting Yourself After a Data Breach
If you are a resident of New Hampshire, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to mitigate the risks associated with this Conduent data breach. Consider the following:
- Monitor Your Credit Report: Regularly check your credit report for any unauthorized activity. You can obtain a free copy from each of the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – annually at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Place a Fraud Alert: Contact one of the credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file. This will require creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts.
- Consider a Credit Freeze: A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it more difficult for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
- Review Account Statements: Carefully review your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious transactions.
- Report Identity Theft: If you suspect you have been a victim of identity theft, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as they become available. Stay vigilant and protect your personal information.
Source: WMUR
