Biltmore Estate Data Breach

Understanding the Biltmore Estate Data Breach

The Biltmore Company, LLC, a prominent name in the hospitality industry and the steward of America's largest home, the Biltmore Estate, recently experienced a data security incident. On February 16, 2024, the company was alerted to a breach affecting its online retail store, which is hosted by a third-party vendor. The breach was contained by February 23, 2024, but not before an unauthorized party acquired sensitive payment card information from customers who made purchases starting December 5, 2023.

What Information Was Compromised?

The data accessed includes customers' names, addresses, email addresses, payment card numbers, expiration dates, and Card Verification Values (CVV). It's important to note that Biltmore does not store full payment card information.

Steps Taken by The Biltmore Company

In response to the breach, The Biltmore Company has taken several measures:

• They promptly notified the FBI and conducted a full forensic investigation.
• The online retail store was temporarily closed to address the security lapse.
• The company has arranged for affected consumers to receive Equifax’s Credit Watch™ Gold services for identity monitoring, free of charge for 24 months. To activate this service, visit Equifax.

What You Can Do

If you suspect you've been affected by this breach, consider the following steps to protect your personal information:

• Remain vigilant by reviewing account statements and monitoring your credit reports for unauthorized activity.
• Obtain a free credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies once every 12 months at Annual Credit Report or by calling 1-877-322-8228.
• Consider placing a fraud alert or a security freeze on your credit report. This can be done by contacting any of the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.
• Report any suspected identity theft to law enforcement, your state Attorney General, and the Federal Trade Commission.

Further Assistance

For more information or if you have questions, you can contact an Equifax specialist at 844-673-5167, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 9 pm Eastern Time. Have your activation code ready when you call.

The Biltmore Company sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience caused and is committed to reinforcing the protection of personal information. For more details, visit the disclosure on the Massachusetts Attorney General's website.

Conclusion

Data breaches can be unsettling, but by taking prompt action and utilizing the resources provided, you can help secure your personal information. Stay informed, consider the services offered, and take the recommended steps to safeguard your data.

_Source: Disclosure on the Massachusetts Attorney General's website._