Slim CD, a Florida-based payment gateway provider, has confirmed a data breach affecting nearly 1.7 million customers. The breach, which occurred between August 2023 and June 2024, exposed customers’ full names, credit card information (excluding CVV), physical addresses, and payment card expiration dates, as revealed in a letter sent to affected clients (DocumentCloud). This incident underscores the growing trend of data breaches impacting businesses and consumers alike.
Scope and Timeline of the Slim CD Breach
The scale of the breach, impacting 1.7 million users, is alarming. Even more concerning is the duration of the unauthorized access, spanning from August 2023 to June 2024. Slim CD reportedly first detected suspicious activity on June 15, 2024, indicating that the unauthorized access potentially compromised credit card information between June 14 and June 15, 2024.
Impact on Customers and Slim CD’s Response
While the absence of the CVV number provides some measure of relief, the exposed data still poses a significant risk of credit card fraud. Slim CD has taken steps to enhance its security measures and advises affected customers to monitor their accounts for any suspicious activity.
In response to the breach, Slim CD is providing guidance to affected individuals on placing fraud alerts and security freezes on their credit files. The company is also sharing contact information for national consumer reporting agencies and providing instructions on obtaining free credit reports. Customers are encouraged to report any suspected fraud or identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission, their state Attorney General, and law enforcement. Notably, Slim CD has not offered identity theft protection services to affected customers and did not include an apology in its notification letter.
Protecting Yourself from Credit Card Fraud
Taking proactive measures to protect yourself from credit card fraud is crucial. Consider placing a credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Creating an account with each bureau and verifying your identity allows you to quickly implement a credit freeze, safeguarding your personal information.
