Buist Byars & Taylor Data Breach Exposes Social Security Numbers

Buist Byars & Taylor LLC, a South Carolina law firm with roots tracing back to 1958, disclosed a data breach that may have exposed sensitive personal information stored in its computer systems.

So far, 1,669 South Carolina residents, 12 Massachusetts residents, three New Hampshire residents and two Vermont residents were impacted. The firm began sending notification letters to affected individuals on Aug. 11, 2026.

Buist Byars & Taylor experienced a cyber incident in February 2026 and launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party forensic specialists, according to the firm's filing with the New Hampshire Attorney General. The investigation determined that an unauthorized actor accessed or copied certain files stored in the firm's computer environment.

The firm's notification to the New Hampshire Attorney General states that the unauthorized access occurred between Jan. 14, 2026, and Feb. 13, 2026. The consumer notification letters sent to affected individuals describe a narrower time frame, stating the unauthorized access took place between Feb. 9, 2026, and Feb. 13, 2026.

Following the investigation, the firm undertook a detailed review of the involved files to determine what information they contained and to whom it related. The review was completed on or about July 16, 2026. The firm stated it is notifying individuals in an abundance of caution based on the results of that analysis.

The types of personal information that may have been exposed vary by individual. According to breach filings, the compromised data may collectively include names, Social Security numbers, financial account information, credit and debit account details, financial account codes, driver's licenses, government ID numbers and health records.

Buist Byars & Taylor's response to the breach

Buist Byars & Taylor is offering affected individuals complimentary access to Experian IdentityWorks credit monitoring and identity restoration services for 12 months.

To take advantage of the services being offered, affected individuals must enroll themselves in the monitoring services by Oct. 31, 2026, using the activation code provided in their notification letter.

The firm has set up a dedicated toll-free help line at 1-833-918-1152, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, excluding major U.S. holidays.

Affected individuals may also write to the firm at Buist Byars & Taylor LLC, 652 Coleman Blvd., Suite 200, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.