Aflac Inc., a major insurance provider based in Columbus, Georgia, has reported detecting suspicious activity on its U.S. network that may have compromised sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers. The company confirmed the incident on Friday, stating that it was part of a larger cybercrime campaign targeting the insurance industry.
According to Aflac, the intrusion was identified and stopped within hours, minimizing potential damage. “We continue to serve our customers as we respond to this incident and can underwrite policies, review claims, and otherwise service our customers as usual,” the company said in an official statement.
The potentially affected files contain claims information, health data, Social Security numbers, and other personal details related to customers, beneficiaries, employees, agents, and other individuals associated with Aflac’s U.S. operations. However, the company is still in the early stages of investigating the breach and has not yet determined the total number of individuals affected.
In response to the incident, Aflac has announced plans to offer free credit monitoring and identity theft protection, along with Medical Shield, for 24 months to anyone who contacts their call center. This measure aims to provide support to potentially impacted individuals.
This breach is part of a growing trend of cyberattacks targeting various industries. Recent high-profile incidents include breaches at United Natural Foods, which disrupted order fulfillment for some grocery stores, and attacks on U.K.-based retailers like Marks & Spencer and Co-op, resulting in inventory issues. Other notable breaches include those at Victoria’s Secret, which temporarily shut down its U.S. shopping site, and The North Face, which experienced a credential stuffing attack affecting 1,500 consumers.
As cyberattacks continue to pose significant threats to companies across different sectors, Aflac’s response to the incident demonstrates the importance of prompt action in mitigating potential damage and protecting affected individuals.
