U.S. auto dealer says cyber attack compromised customers' personal information

Modern Automotive Network, a North Carolina-based car dealership chain, said that it experienced a serious data breach incident in 2024 that compromised the sensitive personal information of its customers.

 

Headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Modern Automotive offers a wide selection of new and pre-owned vehicles, as well as comprehensive automotive services.

 

In a recent data breach notice filed with the Attorney General of Massachusetts, the automobile dealer said that from July 7 to July 8, 2024, it experienced a network intrusion that involved threat actors breaching its internal network and accessing confidential company data.

 

The company immediately launched an investigation, with assistance from external cyber security experts, to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Through the investigation, the company determined that the sensitive personal information of its customers and staff, including their names and other personal identifiers, were compromised during the incident.

 

“In response to this incident, we engaged cybersecurity experts to assist us in investigating this incident and have strengthened our already stringent security protocols moving forward,” it added.

 

While Modern Automotive found no evidence of the compromised information being misused, it 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 state attorney general.

 

It has also offered complimentary identity protection and credit monitoring services through Cyberscout to all affected individuals.

 

The BlackByte ransomware group recently claimed responsibility for the cyber attack on Modern Automotive and listed it as a victim on its data leak site. The group claimed to be in possession of confidential company data, including invoices, payroll data and more. It is unclear how much ransom the group has demanded from the automobile dealership company.