Johnson Matthey Data Breach

Understanding the Johnson Matthey Data Breach

On February 15, 2024, Johnson Matthey, a global leader in sustainable technologies, experienced a data breach involving the personal information of its U.S.-based workforce. The breach was a result of files being inadvertently stored on a third-party storage platform by a contractor, without proper access controls, potentially since 2020. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that these files were accessed or downloaded by unauthorized parties.

The exposed information includes names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth. It's important to note that financial account information was not part of the compromised data. Johnson Matthey has taken this incident seriously and has offered affected individuals two years of complimentary identity protection services through Experian.

Immediate Steps to Take

If you believe you may be affected by the Johnson Matthey data breach, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:

1. Contact Experian: Utilize the identity restoration services provided by Experian by calling 1-877-890-9332. No enrollment is necessary for identity restoration, but you are encouraged to activate fraud detection tools by enrolling in IdentityWorks with the provided Engagement Number and Activation Code.
2. Monitor Your Credit Reports: Regularly review your credit reports from all three credit bureaus. You can obtain a free credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.
3. Review Account Statements: Keep an eye out for any suspicious activity on your financial statements and take action immediately if you notice anything unusual.
4. Stay Vigilant: Change your online account passwords and security questions, especially if you notice any suspicious activity.
5. Consider a Security Freeze: Placing a security freeze on your credit file can prevent unauthorized access and the opening of new accounts in your name. Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to set this up.
6. Place a Fraud Alert: Contact one of the three nationwide credit bureaus to place an initial fraud alert on your credit file, making it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.

Additional Resources

For further assistance and information on how to protect your personal information, you can reach out to Johnson Matthey's dedicated hotline at the provided phone number during business hours. You can also find more details and steps to take in the Notice to Consumers posted on the California Attorney General's website.

Johnson Matthey has reviewed its third-party data handling protocols to prevent such incidents in the future and continues to investigate the breach. The company has expressed regret for the incident and any inconvenience it may have caused.

Remember, taking proactive steps now can help safeguard your personal information and reduce the risk of identity theft. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and take advantage of the resources available to you.