New Jersey-Based Uber Drivers May Have Been Exposed in Latest Data Breach
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- By Steven
- Published: Apr 06, 2023
- Last Updated: Apr 06, 2023
Driving for companies like Uber is always risky, as you never know who you will pick up, where you will have to take them, and if your vehicle could break down. However, drivers should not have to worry about their identities while driving. Uber was just hit by a cyber attack back in December that hurt more than 77,000 employees, and it seems the company is suffering from another serious data loss that could impact some of its drivers, yet again. This latest attack is targeted at drivers in New Jersey, and it's a real issue for Uber.
How Did the Attack Occur?
The latest Uber breach occurred on January 31, 2023, when a mid-sized New Jersey law firm was hit by a data attack. Genova Burns, a firm handling Uber driver data, was hit by an attack that exposed confidential information for countless Uber drivers in the New Jersey area. While Uber doesn't have direct control over how the firm manages data, it's still an attack on Uber drivers that shouldn't have happened.
What Information Was Viewed or Stolen?
In the statement Uber made to The Register, it explained that NJ Uber drivers may have had their tax identification numbers and social security numbers exposed by the latest data breach. This breach could lead to identity theft issues, and it's a serious problem that Uber drivers should be working to protect themselves from.
How Did Business Admit to the Breach?
The law firm involved released letters to the impacted drivers about the data breach. These letters include detailed information about who was involved as well as what information could be at risk by the attack. Uber released a statement to The Register explaining the situation. Together, both companies made sure that everyone involved was aware of the issue and the potential damage that could be caused by this latest cyber attack.
What Will Become of the Stolen Information?
The information stolen from Uber drivers will likely be used to commit fraud in some way. The attackers will attempt to exploit the information to open fraudulent accounts and to get as much money as they can. Some of the information will be resold to others as well, and those attackers will also try to exploit the information. It's likely that the attackers may have already tried to misuse your information if you were exposed as an Uber driver, but you should still watch for future cyber attacks because it's possible they could continue for several months.
What Should Affected Parties Do in the Aftermath of the Breach?
If you happen to receive a letter specifically from Genova Burns, chances are that your information was involved in their data breach. Take steps to protect that personal data immediately. Start monitoring your credit history actively and watch for any suspicious activity on your credit. You should also consider investing in a credit monitoring and identity theft protection service that will notice any strange activity before it occurs to alleviate the issue. If you are facing issues with identity theft or fraudulent accounts being opened in your name, you should consider putting a freeze on your credit to temporarily stop the attacks from impacting you. Making a few slight changes can protect you effectively and keep the attacks from being a serious problem for you.