On May 31, 2024, Ascot Insurance Company (“Ascot Insurance”) filed a notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Massachusetts after discovering that an unknown and unauthorized party accessed an employee’s email account. In this notice, Ascot explains that the incident resulted in an unauthorized party being able to access consumers’ sensitive information, which includes their names and Social Security numbers. Upon completing its investigation, Ascot began sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals whose information was affected by the recent data security incident.

If you received a data breach notification from Ascot Insurance Company, it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. A data breach lawyer can help you learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, as well as discuss your legal options following the Ascot Insurance Company data breach. For more information, please see our recent piece on the topic here.

What Caused the Ascot Insurance Company Data Breach?

The Ascot Insurance Company data breach was only recently announced, and more information is expected in the near future. However, Ascot Insurance’s filing with the Attorney General of Massachusetts provides some important information on what led up to the breach. According to this source, on February 1, 2024, Ascot Insurance detected suspicious activity within an employee’s email account. In response, Ascot Insurance launched an investigation with the help of third-party cybersecurity specialists.

Through this investigation, Ascot Insurance learned that an unauthorized party had been able to access the employee’s email account between January 17, 2024 and February 1, 2024. During this time, the unauthorized party may have accessed or acquired confidential consumer information that was stored on Ascot’s systems.

After learning that sensitive consumer data was accessible to an unauthorized party, Ascot Insurance Company reviewed the compromised files to determine what information was leaked and which consumers were impacted. Ascot Insurance completed this process on April 30, 2024. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name and Social Security number.

On May 31, 2024, Ascot Insurance Company sent out data breach letters to anyone who was affected by the recent data security incident. These letters should provide victims with a list of what information belonging to them was compromised.

More Information About Ascot Insurance Company

Founded in 2001, Ascot Insurance Company is a specialty insurance and reinsurance company based out of London. Ascot provides specialized insurance products to small and mid-sized businesses in the United States. Ascot also offers underwriting services through its Managing General Underwriter, Ethos Specialty. Ascot Group is owned by CPP Investments, a global investment management organization. Ascot Group employs more than 900 people and generates approximately $841 million in annual revenue.