Texas Electric Cooperatives (TEC) recently experienced a significant data breach that has affected numerous individuals, including 1,352 individuals in the state of Texas alone.
This breach, disclosed to the Texas Attorney General's office, has raised concerns among those potentially impacted as the compromised information includes social security numbers and driver’s license numbers.
In response to the data breach, TEC has taken several measures to mitigate the impact and prevent future occurrences. The company has notified affected individuals via U.S. Mail, providing them with detailed information about the breach and steps they can take to protect themselves. Additionally, TEC is likely working with cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach and strengthen their security protocols.
If you have been affected by this data breach, it is crucial to take immediate action to protect your personal information. Here are some steps you can follow:
Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (TEC) is the statewide association representing electric cooperatives in Texas. TEC advocates for its members' interests before the Texas Legislature, United States Congress, and various regulatory agencies. The organization publishes the award-winning Texas Co-op Power magazine, which has a circulation of 1.8 million. TEC also provides critical safety briefings, technical schools, and professional development training for utility workers and employees.
A breach notice means your personal details could be circulating far beyond the organization involved. One practical step is continuous monitoring: services such as Identity Defender (included with an ExpressVPN subscription) can automatically check dark-web markets, flag new credit-file activity, and request removal of your information from data-broker sites.
This kind of “early-warning system” can’t undo a breach, but it can help you spot misuse quickly and limit further exposure. ExpressVPN is offering 61% off, risk-free for 30 days, with ID Theft Insurance included and no extra cost for those who sign up for one or two years.