Recently, Ian Martin PBC (“the Ian Martin Group,” “Ian Martin”) reported a data breach after an unauthorized party was able to access the sensitive consumer data stored on the company’s computer server. According to the Ian Martin Group, the breach resulted in the names and Social Security numbers of 15,351 individuals being compromised. On June 2, 2022, Ian Martin 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 Ian Martin data breach, please see our recent piece on the topic here.

What We Know About the Ian Martin Group Data Breach

According to a letter written by the company’s lawyers, on March 23, 2022, the Ian Martin Group detected unusual activity involving the detection of a suspicious file located on the company’s computer server. Upon this discovery, Ian Martin took the necessary steps to secure its systems and then enlisted the assistance of an independent digital forensics firm to assist in the investigation.

Ian Martin’s investigation into the incident revealed that the personal information of 15,351 individuals may have been accessed or acquired without authorization between March 15, 2022 and March 22, 2022.

After learning that sensitive consumer information was accessible to an unauthorized party as a result of the data security incident, Ian Martin then reviewed the affected files to determine exactly what information was compromised. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name and Social Security number.

On June 2, 2022, Ian Martin sent out data breach letters to all individuals whose information was compromised as a result of the recent data security incident.

More Information About Ian Martin PBC

Ian Martin PBC is a staffing solutions company based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1957, the Ian Martin Group initially provided payroll management services, contract management and staffing for companies looking for employees in the IT and engineering fields. However, over time, the Ian Martin Group has expanded its services to include hiring support across a broader range of industries, including Financial Services, Power & Energy, Oil & Gas, Mining, Public Sector, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, and Life Sciences. The Ian Martin Group employs more than 2,879 people and generates approximately $559 million in annual sales.

How to Protect Yourself After a Data Breach

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common, yet, the risks they pose remain as serious as ever. Thus, it is essential that victims of a data breach understand what they can do to protect themselves. Below are a few steps to take after a data breach.

Carefully Review the Data Breach Letter Sent by the Company

The first thing to do after a data breach is to carefully review the letter to confirm that your information was involved in the breach and, if it was, determine what data of yours was exposed. You should pay special attention if there are reports that Social Security numbers, financial information, or protected health information are among the classes of data leaked in the breach, as these are the easiest for hackers to use.

Reduce Hackers’ Ability to Fraudulently Use Your Information

The next thing to do after a data breach is to limit access to your online healthcare, financial, and social media accounts. This includes changing all your passwords and security questions for any of your online accounts. For those sites that allow you to sign up for multi-factor authentication, you should do so, as this adds an additional layer of protection.

Sign Up for Free Credit Monitoring

After a company reports a data breach, it will usually offer free credit monitoring for a period of time. This is not a gimmick, and signing up for free credit monitoring does not impact any of your rights. While free credit monitoring is not a guarantee against identity theft or other frauds, it can help alert you to any suspicious activity.

Consider Whether a Credit Freeze Is Necessary

If you suspect that your Social Security number or financial account information was compromised, consider placing a freeze on your credit account. You can do so by contacting any of the three major credit reporting agencies. A credit freeze prevents anyone from accessing your credit report without your approval. Credit freezes last until you remove them; however, you can always allow one-time credit checks if you need to apply for a loan or open a new account.

Continue to Monitor Your Credit Report and Financial Accounts

Protecting yourself after a data breach is more of a marathon than a sprint. The information hackers obtain through data breaches doesn’t have an “expiration date,” and while most hackers try to use the information as quickly as possible, that isn’t always the case. Thus, it is imperative that you continually monitor your credit report and financial accounts, keeping an eye out for any signs of fraud or identity theft.

Those with questions about what to do after a data breach or what rights victims have after a data breach should contact an experienced data breach lawyer for immediate assistance.