Recently, D&H Company, which operates a chain of convenience stores throughout the Southeast United States, reported a data breach resulting in the financial information of 35,239 individuals being compromised. According to the Dodge’s Store, the breach resulted in names, bank account numbers, and debit or credit card information being available to an unauthorized user. On May 20, 2022, Dodge’s Store filed official notice of the breach and sent out data breach letters to all affected parties.

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 Dodge’s Southern Style data breach, please see our recent piece on the topic here.

Additional Details About the Dodge’s Southern Style Data Breach

According to the data breach letter sent to affected parties, on around January 8, 2022, Dodge’s Store was the victim of what the company characterizes as a “sophisticated ransomware attack,” which impacted the company’s ability to access its computer network. In response, Dodge’s Stores retained the services of cybersecurity experts to look into the incident. However, this investigation could not rule out the possibility that the party or parties orchestrating the ransomware attack were able to access sensitive consumer information.

Upon discovering that sensitive consumer data was potentially accessible to an unauthorized party, Dodge’s Southern Style then reviewed all affected files to determine the extent of the compromised information. The company’s review was completed on April 22, 2022. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name as well as your bank account number or credit/debit card number. The company believes as many as 35,239 people were affected by the breach.

On May 20, 2022, Dodge’s Southern Style sent out data breach letters to all individuals whose information was compromised as a result of the recent data security incident.

More Information About D&H Company and Dodge’s Southern Store

D&H Company is the name of the company that owns and operates the convenience store chain Dodge’s Southern Style. The stores offer a range of pre-made and made-to-order food items, as well as snacks, beverages and more. Dodge’s Southern Style stores are located across the Southeast United States, including in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Dodge’s Southern Style employs more than 363 people and generates approximately $66 million in revenue every year.

Ransomware Attacks Continue to Be One of the Most Common Cyber Threats

The D&H Company data breach resulted from what the company described as a sophisticated ransomware attack. In recent years, ransomware attacks have become hackers' preferred way of obtaining sensitive consumer data that can later be used to commit identity theft and other frauds. In fact, between 2020 and 2021, the total number of ransomware attacks against U.S-based companies more than doubled, from 158 in 2020 to 321 in 2021. So far, it appears that the number of ransomware attacks in 2022 will reach a record high.

A typical ransomware attack involves hackers installing malicious software on a victim’s computer or network. Once installed on a victim’s device, the malware encrypts the data and locks the victim out of their own system. The hackers orchestrating the attack also leave the victim a message demanding a money ransom if the victim wants to regain access to their device or network.

However, hackers are now using more advanced ransomware attacks. These days, hackers will often threaten to publish the data they obtained from the victim’s device on the Dark Web if the ransom is not paid. This understandably adds to a victim’s incentive to pay the ransom for fear of their personal information being leaked.

Given the risks that come along with a data breach after a ransomware attack, it is essential for victims of the Dodge Southern Stores’ breach to protect themselves. Additionally, data breach victims may be able to pursue a data breach class action lawsuit against the company if evidence emerges that it was negligent in maintaining victims’ sensitive data.

Individuals who received a D&H Company data breach letter and have questions about their options and legal rights should reach out to a data breach attorney for assistance.