Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm
on February 12, 2025 in Data Breach
Updated on February 13, 2025
On January 23, 2025, Universal Lenders, LLC (“Universal”) reported a significant cybersecurity incident to the Maine Attorney General’s Office. According to the notice, on November 7, 2024, an unauthorized party accessed consumers’ private and sensitive personal information stored in Universal’s system (the “Data Breach”). The Data Breach has impacted approximately 19,575 individuals.
In January 2025, Universal began sending data breach notification letters to those affected by the Data Breach. Each notification letter includes 12-month complimentary access to credit monitoring and identity restoration services provided by IDX. If you received a data breach notification letter or email from Universal, it indicates that your information was compromised in the Data Breach.
Universal provides financial lending services and is headquartered in Oak Park, Illinois. Established in 1958, Universal offers financing on vehicle services contracts and aftermarket protection products. With an annual revenue of approximately $5 million, Universal employs around 10 people.
WHAT INFORMATION IS INVOLVED IN THE UNIVERSAL LENDERS DATA BREACH?
As the Data Breach was only recently announced, Universal has disclosed very limited information so far. We are closely monitoring the ongoing investigation, and more details are expected to emerge as the company is required to notify all impacted individuals.
Typically, the confidential information compromised in such cybersecurity incidents involves your name, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license information, government-issued ID number, and financial information.
Collectively, this information is called your Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”). It tells others about you and is considered part of your identity. Businesses are required to secure this information or risk facing statutory penalties, among other legal penalties. Stolen PII can be used by identity thieves to engage in fraudulent activity using your identity.
The best way to protect yourself after a data breach is to sign up for credit and identity protection services as soon as possible.
California offers extra protections and legal rights to its residents through the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”).
NOTICE: If you received a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH letter from Universal Lenders contact the Arnold Law Firm at (916) 777-7777 to discuss your legal options, or submit a confidential Case Evaluation form here.
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