Recently, Robert Half International, Inc. confirmed that the company experienced a data breach after an unauthorized party gained access to sensitive consumer data contained on the company’s network. According to Robert Half, the breach resulted in the names and Social Security numbers of certain individuals being compromised. On June 14, 2022, Robert Half 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 Robert Half International data breach, please see our recent piece on the topic here.

More Details About the Robert Half International and the Recent Data Breach

Information regarding the Robert Half International breach is limited, as the company only recently reported the incident. However, it appears that the breach involved unauthorized access to files that were electronically stored on the company’s servers.

While the breached information varies depending on the individual, Robert Half reports that it includes affected individuals’ names and Social Security numbers.

On June 14, 2022, Robert Half International sent out data breach letters to all individuals whose information was compromised as a result of the recent data security incident. This letter also explains how victims of the breach can sign up for free creditor monitoring provided by the company.

Robert Half International, Inc. is a staffing and business solutions company based in Menlo Park, California. The company matches qualified applicants with open positions at its clients’ organizations. Robert Half provides contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for positions in the finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support industries. Robert Half International employs more than 14,600 people and generates approximately $6 billion in annual revenue.

Should Data Breach Victims Be Concerned?

Yes, if you receive a Robert Half International data breach letter in the future, it is cause for concern. Data breaches are not only becoming more common, but hackers are becoming more selective in who they target as well as the type of information they seek. The result is that, while there are fewer victims overall, these victims are experiencing worse outcomes.

In years past, cybercriminals used generalized attacks designed to gather large amounts of data, regardless of the type. Every so often, they would obtain useful data that enabled them to steal a victim’s identity or make unauthorized transactions on their credit cards or bank accounts. However, more recently, cybercriminals have started to specifically target what they’ve learned are the most profitable types of data, which include Social Security numbers, bank account information, and credit card account numbers.

When a hacker obtains this personal information, they might use it themselves or sell it to the highest bidder on the Dark Web. Ultimately, the end result is often the same; someone you don’t know (and who likely has criminal intentions) has your personal information. This can wreak havoc on your bank or credit card account and, in turn, on your credit score and overall quality of life. For example, recent reports suggest that identity theft victims spend an average of about 200 hours and more than $1,300 recovering their identity.

Importantly, there are steps you can take to mitigate the risks of identity theft following a data breach. For example, you can add a fraud alert or credit freeze on your account by contacting one of the three main credit bureaus. Additionally, you should also closely monitor all your financial accounts to catch any unauthorized use immediately.

Suffering through a data breach is certainly a very stressful experience, and it is easy to become overwhelmed and throw your hands in the air. However, it is important to remain vigilant and to take immediate action.