On February 23, 2024, UNITE HERE, a labor union representing more than 300,000 workers in the U.S. and Canada, filed a notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Maine after discovering that an unauthorized party was able to access the company’s IT network. In this notice, UNITE HERE explains that the incident resulted in an unauthorized party being able to access consumers’ sensitive information, which includes their names, Social Security numbers, financial account information, driver’s license numbers and state identification numbers. Upon completing its investigation, UNITE HERE began sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals whose information was affected by the recent data security incident.

If you received a data breach notification from UNITE HERE, it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. A data breach lawyer can help you learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, as well as discuss your legal options following the UNITE HERE data breach. For more information, please see our recent piece on the topic here.

What Caused the UNITE HERE Data Breach?

The UNITE HERE data breach was only recently announced, and more information is expected in the near future. However, UNITE HERE’s filing with the Attorney General of Maine provides some important information on what led up to the breach. UNITE HERE also posted a website notice discussing the incident. While UNITE HERE may not sound familiar to consumers, the organization handles health & welfare and employment data on behalf of certain unions, health funds, and the San Diego UNITE HERE Pension Fund.

According to these sources, on October 20, 2023, UNITE HERE learned that an unauthorized party had accessed portions of its computer system. In response, UNITE HERE secured its systems and then began working with third-party data security specialists to investigate the incident.

The UNITE HERE investigation confirmed that an unauthorized party accessed certain files on its IT network containing confidential information belonging to members and staff of certain local unions, health funds and the San Diego UNITE HERE Pension Fund.

After learning that sensitive consumer data was accessible to an unauthorized party, UNITE HERE reviewed the compromised files to determine what information was leaked and which consumers were impacted. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name, Social Security number, financial account information, driver’s license number and state identification number.

On February 23, 2024, UNITE HERE sent out data breach letters to anyone who was affected by the recent data security incident. These letters should provide victims with a list of what information belonging to them was compromised.

More Information About UNITE HERE

UNITE HERE is a labor union based out of New York City, New York. UNITE HERE represents over 300,000 people in Canada and the United States. The organization primarily represents workers in the hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, transportation, and airport industries. UNITE HERE employs more than 427 people and generates approximately $78 million in annual revenue.