Console & Associates, P.C. Explores Class Action Lawsuit in the Wake of FCI Cyberattack

MARLTON, N.J. - Jan. 31, 2022 - PRLog -- Console & Associates, P.C. recently began investigating the possibility of a data breach class action lawsuit against Fluid Components International, Inc. following what appears to be a major cyberattack resulting in a significant amount of employee data being compromised. If evidence emerges that Fluid Components International failed to adequately protect the sensitive employee information from this type cyberthreat, it may be financially liable through a data breach class action lawsuit.

Of course, the Fluid Components International data security incident is not the first data breach to make headlines over the past few months. However, despite the frequency with which hackers are able to steal sensitive data from company networks, there is widespread misunderstanding surrounding the significant risks data breaches such as this one pose.

There are many cyberthreats that can lead to a data breach. However, often these cyberattacks start with a hacking event, malware attack, phishing scam or other attack designed to bypass a network security system. While only the hacker who orchestrates a cyber-attack knows their true intentions, often, these events are designed to obtain consumer data that can later be used to steal the identity of consumers.

News of the Fluid Components International, Inc. data breach only recently broke, and more details will be forthcoming. However, the situation raises legitimate concerns about the company's efforts to keep consumer data secure.

Attorney Richard Console explains, "It's easy to place all the blame for a data breach on the person who hacks into an organization's system; however, this ignores the legal and moral obligation that these companies owe to consumers. When someone gives an organization their information, they trust that the organization will ensure the information remains private—and out of the hands of criminals. While protecting consumer data requires an organization to undergo some effort and expense, in our current environment of widespread hacking, this is a cost of doing business that all organizations must take seriously."

According to the letter Fluid Components International, Inc. ("FCI"), on November 9, 2021, the company noticed suspicious activity on its computer network. FCI quickly determined that it was the victim of a cyberattack. In response, FCI launched an internal investigation to determine what happened and what data was compromised. This investigation is ongoing; however, the company confirmed certain consumer information may have been viewed or copied by an unauthorized party between September 17, 2021 and November 8, 2021.

On December 9, 2021, FCI discovered that the hacking incident resulted in certain sensitive consumer information being compromised. The information that was accessible to the hacker includes consumers':

• Full names,
• Social Security numbers,
• Driver's license numbers,
• State-issued identification numbers,
• Health insurance information,
• Credit or debit card information,
• Medical information,
• Usernames and passwords, and
• Other personal information.

1. Carefully review the letter sent by Fluid Components International;
2. Retain a copy of the data breach notification letter;
3. Enroll in the free credit monitoring service provided by Fluid Components International;
4. Change all passwords and security questions to online accounts;
5. Enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication, where it is available;
6. Frequently review all credit card and bank account statements for any signs of fraud or unauthorized activity;
7. Monitor credit reports for any unexpected changes or signs of identity theft;
8. Contact a credit bureau to request a temporary fraud alert; and
9. Notify all banks and credit card companies of the data breach.