Recology Data Breach Affects Over 30,000 People

November 2023 Hacking Incident

On November 2, 2023, Recology Inc. detected unusual activity within their computer network. This discovery led to an immediate internal investigation, the involvement of law enforcement, and the hiring of a forensic security firm to assess and secure the network. It was found that certain documents had been acquired from the system on the same day the activity was noticed. This breach has since been under thorough review, with ongoing notifications to individuals whose information was compromised.

Information Exposed

• Social Security Number

Recology's Response

In response to the breach, Recology Inc. has taken several steps to address and mitigate the impact. They have enhanced their security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Additionally, the company is offering affected individuals a complimentary one-year membership of Experian IdentityWorksSM Credit 3B, which includes services like credit monitoring and identity restoration. More details about this offering and how to activate it can be found in the consumer notice provided at the bottom of this page.

Recommended Actions for Affected Individuals

Given the nature of the data exposed, it is crucial for affected individuals to remain vigilant by monitoring their financial accounts and credit reports for any unusual activity. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Enroll in the free credit monitoring service offered by Recology Inc. to stay informed of changes to your credit file.
2. Regularly review your bank, credit card, and other financial statements for any unauthorized transactions.
3. Consider placing a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit reports, which helps protect against potential identity theft.
4. Report any suspicious activity to your financial institution and the appropriate authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission and local law enforcement.

For more detailed guidance on protecting yourself from identity theft, visit the FTC's identity theft website.

About Recology Inc

Recology Inc. is an employee-owned company that provides environmental services such as recycling, composting, and waste management. They serve over 130 communities across California, Oregon, and Washington. Committed to sustainability, Recology operates with a focus on resource recovery and responsible environmental stewardship.

For further details on the breach and Recology's ongoing response, you can visit the official disclosures on the Maine Attorney General's website, the Massachusetts Attorney General's website, and the California Attorney General's website.