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Driver’s License Numbers Exposed in GEICO Data Breach

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
NOTICE: If you are a GEICO customer who resides in California and received a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH, contact the Arnold Law Firm at (916) 777-7777
digital firewall On April 9, GEICO began to notify customers of a data security incident that exposed personal information through the company’s online sales system from January 21, 2021, through March 1, 2021. The breach was made public after the company filed a breach notice with the California Attorney General’s Office as required by state law for data security incidents affecting more than 500 state residents. GEICO has reportedly fixed the security issue that led to the breach and implemented additional security measures to prevent future fraudulent and illegal activities. They are offering affected individuals one year of identity theft protection. Customers with questions about the incident can call GEICO at 855-265-1097. According to GEICO, the sensitive data obtained was limited to customer driver’s license numbers. However, the hacker used the stolen driver’s license numbers in conjunction with additional personal information, reportedly acquired elsewhere, to fraudulently apply for unemployment benefits. The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has been flooded with unemployment claims over the past year, due to the pandemic-related job loss. The agency requires uploading identification documents, such as a driver’s license, to file for unemployment benefits. GEICO has not yet disclosed how many of its estimated 2.8 million California customers were affected in the data breach. GEICO is the third largest auto insurance company in California. Based in Maryland, the insurance firm is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and provides coverage for more than 16 million policyholders. GEICO employs more than 40,000 associates nationwide. The name GEICO is an acronym for Government Employees Insurance Company, going back to the origins of the firm exclusively serving government employees and military personnel when it was founded in 1936. The company has since expanded to also serve the private sector with a diverse range of insurance coverage options.

NOTICE: If you are a GEICO customer who resides in California and received a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH, contact the Arnold Law Firm at (916) 777-7777 to discuss your situation and possible developing legal options.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.