Avis Rent a Car System [1] [3] [4] [5] [6], a subsidiary of the Avis Budget Group, recently experienced a significant data breach that compromised the personal information of nearly 300,000 customers.
Description
Avis Rent a Car System [1] [3] [4] [5] [6], a part of the Avis Budget Group [6], experienced a data breach on September 4, 2024 [1], where an unauthorized third party gained access to sensitive customer data [5]. The breach was detected on August 5, 2024 [1], and impacted 299,006 customers [6], resulting in the theft of personal information such as names, addresses [1] [4], dates of birth [1] [4], driver’s license numbers [1] [4], and financial details like account numbers and credit or debit card numbers [4]. This information could be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web [3]. Avis began sending out data breach notification letters to affected individuals and advised them to take precautions against fraud and identity theft [1]. In response, Avis is offering affected customers free credit monitoring with Equifax for a year and has implemented additional security measures with the help of cybersecurity experts to prevent future breaches. Murphy Law Firm is considering legal action [3], including a potential class action lawsuit [3], on behalf of those affected by the breach [3]. While the incident did not involve ransomware, it did involve a hacker gaining access to internal systems and stealing data [2]. Sean Deuby of Semperis Inc [2]. commended Avis for its prompt response and emphasized the importance of having a backup and recovery plan in place to enhance operational resiliency [2]. Car hire companies like Avis are often targeted by cyberattacks due to the sensitive personal and financial data they store.
Conclusion
The data breach at Avis Rent a Car System has had significant impacts on nearly 300,000 customers, potentially exposing them to identity theft and fraud. However, Avis has taken swift action to mitigate the breach’s effects, offering free credit monitoring and implementing enhanced security measures. Moving forward, it is crucial for companies like Avis to prioritize cybersecurity to protect customer data and prevent future breaches.
References
[1] https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/avis-rent-a-car-experiences-cyberattack-6004017/
[2] https://siliconangle.com/2024/09/09/avis-car-rental-reports-data-breach-affecting-nearly-300000-customers/
[3] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/09/09/2943111/0/en/Avis-Rent-A-Car-Data-Breach-Exposes-Personal-Information-Murphy-Law-Firm-Investigates-Legal-Claims.html
[4] https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/101024-avis-rent-a-car-announces-data-breach
[5] https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/avis-hit-by-major-data-breach-customer-data-affected
[6] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/car-giant-avis-breach-300000/