Western Electrical Contractors Association data breach results in data loss for 35,290 people | Console and Associates, PC

On August 29, 2024, Western Electrical Contractors Association, Inc. filed a data breach notification with the Maine Attorney General after confirming that suspicious activity on its IT network was the result of a cyberattack. In this notification, WECA explains that the incident resulted in an unauthorized party accessing consumers' confidential information, including their names, dates of birth, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account information, payment card information, medical information, and health insurance information. After completing the investigation, WECA began sending data breach notification letters to all 35,290 individuals whose information was affected by the recent data security incident.

If you have received a data breach notification from Western Electrical Contractors Association, Inc., it is important that you understand the risks involved and what you can do about them. A data breach attorney can help you learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud or identity theft and discuss your legal options after the Western Electrical Contractors Association data breach. For more information, see our recent article on this topic. Here.

What caused the Western Electrical Contractors Association data breach?

The data breach at the Western Electrical Contractors Association was only recently disclosed and more information is expected in the near future. However, WECA's filings with the Maine Attorney General contain some important information about what led to the data breach. WECA also posted a notice on its website explaining the incident and the company's response.

According to these sources, WECA recently noticed unusual activity on its computer network. In response, WECA launched an investigation to learn more about the incident and whether any consumer information in the company's possession was accessed without authorization. Ultimately, this investigation confirmed that an unauthorized party accessed WECA's network between January 21 and January 22, 2024. The investigation also indicated that the unauthorized party may have copied certain files containing sensitive consumer information.

After learning that sensitive consumer data was accessible to an unauthorized party, the Western Electrical Contractors Association reviewed the compromised files to determine what information was leaked and which consumers were affected. WECA completed this process on June 27, 2024. While the compromised information varies by individual, it may include your name, date of birth, social security number, driver's license number, bank account information, payment card information, medical information, and health insurance information.

On August 29, 2024, the Western Electrical Contractors Association sent out data breach notification letters to everyone affected by the recent data breach. These letters were intended to provide victims with a list of the information belonging to them that had been compromised.

Learn more about the Western Electrical Contractors Association, Inc.

The Western Electrical Contractors Association, Inc., based in Mather, California, is a nonprofit organization serving reputable electrical and low-voltage contractors, their employees, and industry suppliers. WECA provides its members with political and public advocacy, networking services, specialized member services, training services, and workforce development services. The Western Electrical Contractors Association employs more than 70 people and generates approximately $10 million in annual revenue.