In a concerning development, Florida-based payment gateway provider Slim CD has confirmed a major data breach affecting a staggering 1.7 million users. The breach, which went unnoticed for nearly a year, exposed a trove of sensitive information including full names, credit card details, physical addresses, and payment card expiration dates.
The company first detected suspicious activity on June 15, 2024, indicating that unauthorized actors had access to their systems between August 2023 and June 2024. While the company states that the card verification number (CVV) was not included in the leaked data, the risk of credit card fraud remains a significant concern for affected users.
Slim CD has acknowledged the breach and implemented security improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future. The company is also providing guidance to affected individuals on how to protect themselves, including placing fraud alerts and security freezes on their credit files. They have also provided contact information for national consumer reporting agencies and resources for obtaining free credit reports.
Despite the breach, Slim CD has not offered identity theft protection to affected users and the notification letter did not include an apology. The company’s delayed response and lack of proactive measures have raised concerns among users and cybersecurity experts.
To mitigate the risk of credit card fraud, users are advised to take immediate steps to protect their financial information. This includes placing a credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. To do so, simply create an account with each bureau and verify your identity to initiate the freeze.
This data breach highlights the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. It serves as a stark reminder for individuals and businesses alike to be vigilant about safeguarding their personal and financial information in the digital age.
