Hertz Data Breach: Personal Data and Driver’s Licenses Compromised – What You Need to Know
Hertz, a leading car rental company, has recently informed its customers about a significant data breach that has compromised personal information, including driver’s licenses. This cyber incident raises serious concerns for customers worldwide, highlighting the importance of data security in the rental industry.
Details of the Data Breach
The data breach at Hertz resulted from a cyberattack on one of its vendors, Cleo Software, between October 2024 and December 2024. The affected customers include those from various regions, such as:
- Australia
- Canada
- European Union
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
In addition, Hertz has notified several U.S. states, including California and Maine, about the breach. Reports indicate that at least 3,400 customers in Maine were affected, but the total number of impacted individuals is likely much higher.
Types of Affected Information
The stolen data varies by region and primarily includes:
- Customer names
- Dates of birth
- Contact information
- Driver’s licenses
- Payment card details
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Social Security numbers (for a smaller number of customers)
- Other government-issued identification numbers
Emily Spencer, a spokesperson for Hertz, emphasized that while the breach is serious, it would be “inaccurate to say millions” of customers are affected. However, specific numbers have not been disclosed.
Background on Cleo Software and the Cyberattack
The breach is linked to Cleo Software, which faced a mass-hacking campaign last year orchestrated by a notorious Russia-linked ransomware group, the Clop gang. This group claimed to have exploited vulnerabilities in Cleo’s enterprise file transfer products, which are used by numerous companies, including Hertz, to share sensitive information securely over the internet.
Following the attack, Clop claimed to have stolen data from nearly 60 companies by exploiting these vulnerabilities. This incident has been characterized as one of the most significant mass-hacks of 2024.
Company Response
Initially, Hertz stated it had “no evidence” that its systems were compromised. However, they have since confirmed that customer data was accessed by an unauthorized third party, who exploited vulnerabilities in Cleo’s platform. As of now, a representative from Cleo has not responded to inquiries regarding the breach.
For more information on data security and how to protect your personal information, consider visiting FTC’s guide on securing personal data.
Stay updated on further developments regarding this breach and other important news in the rental industry by visiting our news section.