At the beginning of January, state officials warned more than 108,000 South Carolina residents that their personal information may have been exposed in a data breach connected to 700Credit, a company widely used by car dealerships and lenders across the country.
What happened
Unauthorized activity was discovered in a web-based application connected to 700Credit’s services. Through this application, someone was able to copy personal data without permission. The issue went undetected for a period of time before it was finally identified and investigated.
Although the breach affected millions of people nationwide, South Carolina officials confirmed that over 108,000 residents in the state were among those impacted.
What information was exposed
The copied data included some of the most sensitive personal details people have, such as:
- Full names
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
This type of information is especially serious because it can be used for identity theft, financial fraud, or opening accounts in someone else’s name. Unlike passwords, Social Security numbers cannot simply be changed.
How the breach occurred
The breach did not involve a direct break-in to 700Credit’s internal systems. Instead, it involved a third-party connection used to support credit and identity services for auto dealerships. A weakness in this external application allowed unauthorized access, which was then used to copy data over time.
Once unusual activity was discovered, the company began an internal review and worked with cybersecurity experts to understand what happened and limit further exposure.
What 700Credit has done so far
After confirming the breach, 700Credit took steps to respond, including:
- Notifying affected individuals through official letters or emails
- Reporting the incident to appropriate authorities
- Offering free identity protection and credit monitoring services to those impacted
- Taking action to secure the affected application and prevent similar issues in the future
Why this matters
When information like a Social Security number and date of birth is exposed, the risk doesn’t end right away. Fraud or identity theft can happen months or even years later. That’s why officials are urging affected individuals to remain cautious, monitor their credit reports, and take advantage of any protective services offered.
What affected individuals should consider doing
If you received a notice related to this breach, experts recommend:
- Enrolling in the free credit monitoring or identity protection services provided
- Reviewing credit reports regularly for unfamiliar activity
- Considering a credit freeze or fraud alert
- Being cautious of emails, calls, or messages asking for personal information
Final Takeaway
This was a large-scale data breach that exposed highly sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers, for thousands of South Carolina residents and millions of people nationwide. Even if no fraud has occurred yet, staying alert and taking preventative steps now can help reduce long-term risks.
