Ohio Department of Commerce issues Consumer Alert following MoneyGram data breach
In a Wednesday press release, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) said it has issued a Consumer Alert to Ohio residents who have used services provided by MoneyGram following a recent cyber-attack. The money transmitter, who is licensed with DFI, currently operates in over 200 cities across Ohio.
The breach occurred between Sept. 20-22, 2024 and involved an unauthorized third party to access and acquire sensitive personal information from certain MoneyGram customers, according to the release.
According to a statement from MoneyGram, the compromised data includes names, contact information, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, government-issued identification documents, bank account numbers, transaction information and, for some individuals, criminal investigation information.
The release stated the company says immediate steps have been taken to contain the breach, and an investigation is currently underway with the assistance of cyber-security experts and law enforcement.
“While cyber-attacks are increasingly common, the impact of those attacks on consumers can be limited if those who are impacted take the appropriate measures, and do so quickly,” said DFI Deputy Superintendent Ingrid White. “By taking steps such as regularly and closely reviewing financial statements and credit reports to identify unauthorized transactions or accounts, individuals can help protect themselves from becoming the victim of identity theft and potentially experiencing significant financial loss.”
MoneyGram has pledged to provide affected U.S. consumers with two years of complimentary identity protection and credit monitoring services. Their systems have since resumed normal operations.
Meanwhile, Ohioans who have used MoneyGram’s services may consider taking the following steps:
Review Financial Statements and Credit Reports
Stay alert to any unauthorized transactions by regularly checking all financial statements. Free weekly credit reports can be obtained through the Annual Credit Report website.
Consider Freezing Your Credit
A security freeze prevents prospective creditors from accessing your credit file, hindering identity thieves from opening new accounts under your name. For additional assistance with freezing your credit, individuals may consider contacting the three major credit reporting bureaus for assistance:
- Equifax: (800) 685-1111
- Experian: (888) 397-3742
- TransUnion: (888) 909-8872
For Identify Theft Victims
If you believe you’re the victim of identity theft, the department suggests visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) website to access resources and step-by-step instructions on how to recover from identity theft.
For individuals affected by data breaches, specific guidance from the FTC is available here.