Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union Data Breach Lawsuit Investigation

Shamis & Gentile P.A., one of the nation's premier class action law firms specializing in data breach cases, is investigating the Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union data breach.

If you were affected by the data breach, your sensitive personally identifiable information may have been exposed, and you may be eligible for compensation.

About Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union

Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union (ACFCU) is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative based in Johnson City, Tennessee. Founded in 1932 by employees of the Mead Paper Mill (now Domtar) in Kingsport, Tenn., ACFCU serves individuals who live, work, worship or attend school in select counties across Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky, as well as specific municipalities in the Appalachian Highlands region.

What Happened?

On Oct. 7, 2025, Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union discovered a disruption to its computer systems. The credit union responded by taking its network offline and engaging forensic specialists to investigate. By Oct. 10, 2025, it was confirmed that data had been taken from the network. A thorough review determined that sensitive personal information was involved, and affected individuals were notified after the review concluded on Dec. 1, 2025.

The breach was the result of a ransomware attack by the group known as Qilin, which claimed to have published 75 GB of the organization’s data on the dark web on Nov. 18, 2025. The incident was reported to federal law enforcement and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office on Dec. 31, 2025.

Information Exposed:

• Name
• Social Security number
• Financial account information

The credit union stated that, as of the time of notification, there was no evidence of actual or attempted fraud or misuse as a result of the incident.

Your Rights and Next Steps

If you received a notice from Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union about this data breach, you have important rights and options. Here’s what you can do:

• Enroll in the free credit monitoring and fraud assistance services offered by the credit union through Cyberscout, a TransUnion company. Instructions and a unique code should be included in your notification letter.
• Monitor your credit reports and account statements for any suspicious activity. Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus.
• Place a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit file to help prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name. This can be done at no cost by contacting TransUnion, Experian or Equifax.
• Report any suspected identity theft or fraud to law enforcement, your state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission.
• Stay vigilant for phishing attempts or suspicious communications that may try to exploit the exposed information.

Lawyers are ready to help individuals affected by this breach understand their rights and pursue compensation if eligible.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation

If your information was exposed in the Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union data breach, you may be entitled to compensation for the risks and inconvenience you have experienced. Lawyers are currently investigating potential claims on behalf of affected individuals.

To find out if you qualify and to join a lawsuit related to this data breach, complete the below form. This is the first step to protecting your rights and seeking any compensation you may deserve.

Sources

• Massachusetts Attorney General
• Dark Web