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Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Conway Issues Advisory After Security Breach At Investment Company
The Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division is receiving several calls daily from consumers who have been notified by BNY Mellon Shareowner Services that their personal information may have been compromised. The letter informs the recipient that computer tapes, which included personal information such as social security and bank account numbers, were lost while being transported to an off-site storage facility.
Although consumers may not recognize the BNY Mellon name, the company may have an affiliation with an account that is familiar to the consumer. According to BNY Mellon’s website, the company “serves public companies as their stock transfer agent, stock plan administrator and in other capacities.”
“Since consumers are being more cautious about their personal information and they are unfamiliar with the name of BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, they are calling the Consumer Protection Division to inquire about the legitimacy of the letter,” stated Attorney General Jack Conway.
Although the letter indicates that the company has no reason to believe the personal information is being accessed or used inappropriately, the company is offering impacted individuals a free credit monitoring product for 24 months. Additionally, information on how to place a fraud alert and a credit freeze on one’s credit bureau account is included in the letter.
The Attorney General does not endorse any credit monitoring service, but does encourage consumers to at least place a fraud alert on their credit bureau accounts. This will help prevent an identity thief from fraudulently using the consumer’s personal information to obtain credit. The letter received by those affected, lists the valid numbers to call in which to place the alert.
Victims of identity theft may obtain an Identity Theft Kit at www.ag.ky.gov/idtheft or by calling the Identity Theft Victim Hotline at 800-804-7556.
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