On February 7, 2025, the University of Massachusetts Amherst (“UMass Amherst “) filed a notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Massachusetts after discovering that confidential information in the organization’s possession was subject to unauthorized access. In this notice, UMass Amherst explains that the incident resulted in an unauthorized party being able to access certain individuals’ sensitive information, which includes their names and Social Security numbers. Upon completing its investigation, UMass Amherst 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 the University of Massachusetts Amherst, 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst data breach. For more information, please see our recent piece on the topic here.
What Caused the University of Massachusetts Amherst Data Breach?
The University of Massachusetts Amherst data breach was only recently announced, and more information is expected in the near future. However, UMass Amherst’s filing with the Attorney General of Massachusetts provides only limited information on what led up to the breach.
According to the available information, UMass Amherst recently completed an investigation into a data security incident. Through this investigation, UMass Amherst confirmed that an unauthorized party was able to access files on its computer network that contained confidential information belonging to certain individuals. Evidently, the unauthorized party accessed the UMass network on August 24, 2024.
After learning that sensitive consumer data was accessible to an unauthorized party, the University of Massachusetts Amherst reviewed the compromised files to determine what information was leaked and which consumers were impacted. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name and Social Security number.
On February 7, 2025, the University of Massachusetts Amherst 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. UMass Amherst is also providing victims of the breach with 24 months of credit-monitoring services at no cost.
More Information About University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines, including business, engineering, humanities, and sciences. UMass Amherst serves a diverse student body and is recognized for its contributions to education, technology, and sustainability initiatives. The organization employs approximately 1,400 people and generates an estimated $864 million in annual revenue.
