AJC International Data Breach

What Happened?

AJC International, Inc., a global marketer of food products, recently experienced a significant data breach due to a vulnerability in the NetScaler products they use for networking applications. In late 2023, Citrix, the owner of NetScaler, disclosed a zero-day vulnerability that had previously gone undetected. This vulnerability allowed an unauthorized actor to access a limited portion of AJC's network on November 2, 2023.

The cybercriminal attempted a ransomware attack, which could have led to severe data loss and operational disruptions. Fortunately, AJC's IT team acted swiftly to contain the breach. They stopped the unauthorized activities, eradicated the intruder from their systems, and fully remediated the situation. Despite these efforts, it was discovered that the attacker managed to exfiltrate some files, which included personal information such as names and Social Security numbers of individuals associated with AJC.

Steps to Protect Your Information

If you believe your information may have been compromised in this breach, AJC has taken steps to assist you and recommends several actions you can take to protect yourself:

1. Enroll in Complimentary Credit Monitoring: AJC is offering 24 months of free credit monitoring and identity restoration services through Experian. You can enroll in these services here using the activation code provided in the notice. Remember, you must enroll by May 31, 2024.

1. Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your financial accounts and credit reports for any unusual activity. Under U.S. law, you are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the major credit reporting agencies. You can request your free credit report here.

1. Place a Fraud Alert: Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit files, which makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name. This can be done by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion).

1. Consider a Security Freeze: A security freeze prevents credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent. You can request a security freeze by contacting each of the credit bureaus directly.

Additional Resources

For further assistance and to address any concerns, AJC has set up a dedicated assistance line. You can reach them at 1-833-918-6222, available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

For more detailed information about the breach and how to protect your information, you can access the full notice provided to the Massachusetts Attorney General's office here.

By taking these steps, you can help safeguard your personal information and reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud.