On November 23, 2022, Columbia Grain International, LLC reported a data breach with the Montana Attorney General’s office after the company experienced a data security incident that compromised sensitive consumer information stored on its computer network. While the Montana AG’s Reported Data Breach Incidents website does not provide the specific information that was leaked, it likely included consumers' first and last names, as well as one or more of the following: Social Security numbers, protected health information, government identification numbers or financial account information. Recently, Columbia Grain sent out data breach letters to all affected parties, informing them of the incident and what they can do to protect themselves from identity theft and other frauds.

What We Know About the Columbia Grain International Data Breach

The available information regarding the Columbia Grain International breach comes from the company’s filing with the Montana Attorney General. According to this source, on March 21, 2022, Columbia Grain experienced a network intrusion that affected a portion of the company’s computer network. In response, Columbia Grain secured its network and then began working with a third-party data security firm to investigate the incident and determine what, if any, consumer information was leaked as a result.

Unfortunately, Columbia Grain has not yet posted notice of the breach on its website and the information included on the Montana AG’s site does not disclose the specific data types that were compromised. However, only those companies that experience a breach involving consumers’ names and one or more of the following are required to report a data breach:

• Social Security numbers,

• Protected health information,

• Government identification numbers or

• Financial account information.

Thus, it is likely that the Columbia Grain International breach involved this type of information.

On November 23, 2022, Columbia Grain International sent out data breach letters to all individuals whose information was compromised as a result of the recent data security incident.

More Information About Columbia Grain International, LLC

Founded in 1978, Columbia Grain International, LLC is a worldwide supplier of conventional and organic grain, pulses, edible beans, and oilseeds. The company’s supply chain network consists of more than 8,000 farmers across the United States. Columbia Grain International employs more than 191 people and generates approximately $99 million in annual revenue.

If you received a data breach notification, it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. To learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft and what your legal options are in the wake of the Columbia Grain International data breach, please see our recent piece on the topic here.