Recently, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company (“UTM”) announced the company experienced a data security incident in which an unauthorized party was able to gain access to certain files on the company’s computer network. As a result of the data breach, the names, addresses and Social Security numbers of certain consumers were compromised. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are actively investigating the security breach. As a part of this investigation, lawyers are interviewing those victims of the Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company data breach who are interested in determining what harm was caused as a result of the incident and what their potential remedies may be. If it turns out that Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company failed to adequately protect consumer data, affected parties may be able to bring a data breach class action lawsuit against the company.
Often, data breaches are the result of a hacker gaining unauthorized access to a company’s computer systems with the intention of obtaining sensitive consumer information. While no one can know the reason why a hacker targeted Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, it is common for hackers and other criminals to identify those companies believed to have vulnerabilities in their data security systems.
Once a cybercriminal gains access to a computer network, they can then access and remove any data stored on the compromised servers. While, in most cases, a company experiencing a data breach can identify which files were accessible, there may be no way for the company to tell which files the hacker actually accessed or whether they removed any data.
While the fact that your information was compromised in a data breach does not necessarily mean it will be used for criminal purposes, being the victim of a data breach puts your sensitive data in the hands of an unauthorized person. As a result, you are at an increased risk of identity theft and other frauds, and criminal use of your information is a possibility that should not be ignored.
Given this reality, individuals who receive a Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company data breach notification should take the situation seriously and remain vigilant in checking for any signs of unauthorized activity. Businesses like Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company are responsible for protecting the consumer data in their possession. If evidence emerges that Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company failed to adequately protect your sensitive information, you may be eligible for financial compensation through a data breach lawsuit.
According to official documents filed by the company, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company first learned of the incident on April 25, 2021, when it noticed suspicious activity on its computer systems. UTM then initiated an investigation into the incident, determining that an unauthorized party may have viewed or obtained consumer information located on the affected network between the dates of April 5, 2021 and April 25, 2021.
Once Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company learned of the data breach, it then set out to determine the scope of the compromised information. Around November 23, 2021, the company confirmed that the unauthorized party would have had access to the names, addresses and Social Security numbers of certain consumers. It is believed that as many as 28,703 individuals were impacted by the UTM data breach.
On February 11, 2022, UTM sent out data breach notification letters to all affected parties.
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company is a truck and trailer manufacturing company based out of Los Angeles County, California. Founded in 1914, UTM is the oldest privately held trailer manufacturing company in the United States. The company is the largest manufacturer of refrigerated vans and one of the largest manufacturers of trailers in the United States. The company manufactures its products in five factories in Utah, Virginia, Alabama and Arkansas.
When customers decided to do business with Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, they assumed that the company would take their privacy concerns seriously. And it goes without saying that consumers would think twice before giving a company access to their information if they knew it wasn’t going to be secure. Thus, data breaches such as this one raise questions about the adequacy of a company’s data security system.
When a business, government entity, non-profit organization, school, or any other organization accepts and stores consumer data, it also accepts a legal obligation to ensure this information remains private. The United States data breach laws allow consumers to pursue civil data breach claims against organizations that fail to protect their information.
Of course, given the recency of the UTM data breach, the investigation into the incident is still in its early stages. And, as of right now, there is not yet any evidence suggesting Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company is legally responsible for the breach. However, that could change as additional information about the breach and its causes is revealed.
If you have questions about your ability to bring a data breach class action lawsuit against Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, reach out to a data breach attorney as soon as possible.
If Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company sends you a data breach notification letter, you are among those whose information was compromised in the recent breach. While this isn’t a time to panic, the situation warrants your attention. Below are a few important steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft and other fraudulent activity:
Identify What Information Was Compromised: The first thing to do after learning of a data breach is to carefully review the data breach letter sent. The letter will tell you what information of yours was accessible to the unauthorized party. Be sure to make a copy of the letter and keep it for your records. If you have trouble understanding the letter or what steps you can take to protect yourself, a consumer privacy lawyer can help.
Limit Future Access to Your Accounts: Once you determine what information of yours was affected by the breach, the safest play is to assume that the hacker orchestrating the attack stole your data. While this may not be the case, it’s better to be safe than sorry. To prevent future access to your accounts, you should change all passwords and security questions for any online account. This includes online banking accounts, credit card accounts, online shopping accounts, and any other account containing your personal information. You should also consider changing your social media account passwords and setting up multi-factor authentication where it is available.
Protect Your Credit and Your Financial Accounts: After a data breach, companies often provide affected parties with free credit monitoring services. Signing up for the free credit monitoring offers some significant protections and doesn’t impact any of your rights to pursue a data breach lawsuit against the company if it turns out they were legally responsible for the breach. You should contact a credit bureau to request a copy of your credit report—even if you do not notice any signs of fraud or unauthorized activity. Adding a fraud alert to your account will provide you with additional protection.
Consider Implementing a Credit Freeze: A credit freeze prevents anyone from accessing your credit report. Credit freezes are free and stay in effect until you remove them. Once a credit freeze is in place, you can temporarily lift the freeze if you need to apply for any type of credit. While placing a credit freeze on your accounts may seem like overkill, given the risks involved, it’s justified. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (“ITRC”), placing a credit freeze on your account is the “single most effective way to prevent a new credit/financial account from being opened.” However, just 3% of data breach victims place a freeze on their accounts.
Regularly Monitor Your Credit Report and Financial Accounts: Protecting yourself in the wake of a data breach requires an ongoing effort on your part. You should regularly check your credit report and all financial account statements, looking for any signs of unauthorized activity or fraud. You should also call your banks and credit card companies to report the fact that your information was compromised in a data breach.
Below is a copy of the initial data breach letter issued by Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company (the actual notice sent to consumers can be found here):
Dear [Consumer],
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company (“UTM”) is writing to notify you of an incident that may impact the security of some of your information. While we are unaware of any actual misuse of your information, we are providing you with notice of the incident, steps we are taking in response, and resources available to help you better protect your information, should you feel it is appropriate to do so.
What Happened? On or about April 25, 2021, UTM became aware of suspicious activity impacting its computer systems. UTM immediately commenced an investigation to confirm the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unknown actor may have viewed and taken certain information during a period of unauthorized access on its computer systems between approximately April 5 and April 25, 2021. UTM then conducted a thorough and time-consuming review of the accessible files to determine if they contained sensitive information and to whom the information related to. After conducting this thorough and comprehensive review, UTM determined on or around November 23, 2021 that some of your information may have been included in the potentially impacted computer systems.
What Information Was Involved? The information present in the files that were impacted by the incident may have included your <>, address, name.
What We Are Doing. UTM treats its responsibility to safeguard information in its possession as an utmost priority. As such, UTM responded immediately to this event and has been working diligently to provide you with an accurate and complete notice of the incident as soon as possible. UTM’s response to this event also included prompt reporting to federal law enforcement. As part of its ongoing commitment to the privacy and security of personal information in our care, UTM is reviewing its existing policies and procedures relating to data protection and security. UTM is also investigating additional security measures to mitigate any risk associated with this incident and to better prevent future incidents. We are providing notice of this event to potentially impacted individuals and to state regulators, where required.
Out of an abundance of caution, we are providing you with twelve (12) months of complimentary access to credit monitoring and identity restoration services through Experian, as well as guidance on how to better protect your information, should you feel it is appropriate to do so. While UTM is covering the cost of these services, due to privacy restrictions, you will need to complete the activation process yourself.
What You Can Do. You can find out more about how to safeguard your information in the enclosed Steps You Can Take to Protect Personal Information. UTM encourages you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. UTM also encourages you to enroll in the complementary credit monitoring and identity restoration services. Enrollment instructions are enclosed with this letter.
For More Information. If you have additional questions, please contact our dedicated assistance line at <>, Monday through Friday 8 am – 10 pm CST, Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 7 pm CST (excluding major U.S. holidays). You may also write to UTM at 17295 E. Railroad, City of Industry, California 91748.
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DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.
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