John R. Wood Properties Reports Data Breach Exposing PII

What Happened?

John R. Wood, Inc, a prominent real estate company in Southwest Florida, recently experienced a significant data breach. The breach was discovered and subsequently reported to the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. The investigation revealed that unauthorized access to the company's computer network occurred, leading to the potential copying of sensitive files and folders. The exact method of the breach has not been disclosed, but the severity and nature suggest that personal and financial information of many clients and employees could have been compromised.

Information Exposed

The following types of consumer information were exposed during the breach:

• Name
• Social Security number
• Financial account information
• Driver's license number
• Payment card information

John R. Wood Properties' Response

Upon discovering the breach, John R. Wood, Inc took immediate action to investigate and address the security lapse. The company has engaged cybersecurity experts to enhance their security measures and prevent future incidents. They are also providing affected individuals with complimentary credit monitoring services through Identity Force, a TransUnion company, to help protect their identities and monitor their credit profiles for any suspicious activity.

Steps to Take if You Are Affected

If you believe your information was compromised in this breach, it is crucial to take the following steps to protect yourself:

1. Enroll in the offered Credit Monitoring Services: Visit Identity Force to enroll using the unique code provided in the notification letter.
2. Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review your financial statements and credit reports for any unauthorized activity. You are entitled to a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
3. Place a Fraud Alert: Contact one of the credit bureaus to request a fraud alert on your credit report, which will require creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
4. Consider a Credit Freeze: A more secure option than a fraud alert, a credit freeze will prevent creditors from accessing your credit report entirely. It can be particularly effective in preventing identity theft.
5. Report Suspicious Activity: If you detect any suspicious activity, report it immediately to the relevant financial institutions and consider filing a report with the police or the Federal Trade Commission.

About John R. Wood, Inc

John R. Wood Properties is the oldest real estate company in Southwest Florida, with a history spanning over 62 years offering extensive services across various locations including Naples, Bonita Springs, and Marco Island.

For further details on the breach and to view the official Notice to Consumers, you can access the disclosure on the Massachusetts Attorney General's website.