Erie Insurance Investigates Potential Data Compromise Following Security Incident
Erie Insurance has announced it is making ‘strong and steady progress’ in addressing a security incident that led to a network outage on June 7. The company, a Fortune 500 entity based in Erie, Pennsylvania, revealed the information security event on June 8 and immediately shut down its computer systems as a precautionary measure.
In a statement released on June 23, Erie Insurance emphasized that there is currently no evidence of ransomware involvement or ongoing threat actor activity. However, the company has not ruled out the possibility that some data may have been compromised. Matthew Cummings, a company spokesman, stated, “We take these matters very seriously and are working diligently to identify what, if any, data may have been affected.” The investigation is ongoing, with collaboration from law enforcement and cybersecurity experts.
The proactive shutdown of their network and systems, initiated on June 7, was described as a measure to contain the threat. While business operations have not returned to normal, Erie Insurance has made progress in reconnecting several business systems and applications after thorough review and security checks by both internal teams and external partners.
Customers needing to file claims are advised to contact their agents or the First Notice of Loss team at 800-367-3743, while customer care can be reached at 800-458-0811. Erie Insurance is also urging customers to follow best practices for personal security and to notify their financial institutions about any unusual activity.
This incident is not isolated; other insurance companies have faced similar cybersecurity challenges. Aflac reported a cyber attack on June 12, which was contained within hours, while Philadelphia Insurance Companies experienced a network outage affecting their phone and computer systems over the weekend of June 9.
As of June 23, at least five class-action lawsuits have been filed against Erie Insurance in U.S. District Court, alleging the company’s failure to implement adequate cybersecurity measures to protect customer data. The Erie Insurance website continues to display a notice about the ongoing network outage and investigation.
Customers have been reminded that Erie Insurance will not request payments via unsolicited calls or emails during this period.
