The Computer Merchant Reports Data Breach Affecting Over 30,000 Individuals

The Computer Merchant, an IT staffing company, disclosed that a data security incident last year compromised the sensitive personal information of over 30,000 individuals.

 

The Computer Merchant, headquartered in Norwell, Massachusetts, has placed over 63,000 professionals, supported 2,500+ employers, receives 50,000 new candidate submissions monthly, and maintains a talent pool of 11 million profiles.

 

In a data security incident notice filed with the Office of Maine Attorney General, the Computer Merchant said that on July 25, it identified unauthorised access within its internal network. The staffing company immediately launched an investigation, with assistance from external cyber security experts, to determine the nature and scope of the incident.

 

It also took steps to secure the affected network and notified relevant law enforcement authorities about the incident.

 

An investigation determined that the sensitive personal information including name and Social Security numbers were accessed during the incident. The filing with the Maine state regulator also states that the Computer Merchant has identified at least 34,127individuals impacted by the incident.

 

The Computer Merchant has advised all affected individuals to regularly monitor their credit reports, account and benefit statements and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities, including the police and the state attorney general. 

 

It has also offered one year of complimentary identity protection and credit monitoring services through IDX to all affected individuals.

 

 

 

The Play ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the cyber attack and listed the Computer Merchant as a victim on its data leak site. The group claimed to be in possession of private and personal confidential data, clients’ documents, budget, payroll & accounting data and more.