The customer groups claim the bank failed to protect their personal data from hackers.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-based Truist Bank is being sued by a group of customers who claim it failed to protect their personal information from hackers.
“We are aware of the lawsuit and are currently reviewing it, but we generally do not comment on pending litigation,” a Truist spokesperson told WCNC Charlotte.
Customers claim that their personal information stored at the bank has been obtained by cybercriminals, leaving them at risk of having their identities stolen in 2023.
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A Truist spokesman said the 2023 “cybersecurity incident” was quickly contained and that the bank only notified customers to let them know an investigation was taking place.
“At this time we have not found any indications of fraud resulting from this incident, however, out of an abundance of caution and respect for our customers, we are providing our privacy services free of charge. We apologise for any concern or inconvenience these notifications may have caused,” the spokesperson said.
But the lawsuit alleges that hackers have already begun using this information to commit fraud. It also says that in the future, criminals could use this information to file fraudulent tax returns, receive government benefits, or take out loans in these customers’ names. They could also use customers’ driver’s license information to give to police in the event of an arrest, the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court in Charlotte, says the data breach was the result of Truist’s “failure to implement appropriate and reasonable cybersecurity measures.”
A spokesman said the bank regularly works with law enforcement and outside cybersecurity experts to protect its systems and data.
