MetroWest Community Federal Credit Union Hit by Akira Ransomware Attack in 2025
In early September 2025, MetroWest Community Federal Credit Union (FCU), a Framingham, Massachusetts-based financial institution, suffered a ransomware attack by the cybercriminal group Akira. The breach was detected on September 1, 2025, after suspicious network activity triggered alerts. By September 3, a forensic investigation confirmed unauthorized access, with attackers exfiltrating sensitive files.
The stolen data—posted on the dark web in October 2025—included personally identifiable information (PII) such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, financial account details, debit card numbers, and driver’s license numbers. The breach impacted 7,573 Massachusetts residents and 65 Rhode Island residents.
MetroWest Community FCU disclosed the incident to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office on December 29, 2025, and notified affected individuals by mail. The credit union offered free Experian IdentityWorks identity theft protection to impacted customers.
The Akira ransomware group claimed responsibility, asserting they obtained client documents, financial records, and employee files. Legal firms, including Shamis & Gentile P.A., are investigating potential compensation for victims, citing possible reimbursement for expenses, time lost, or emotional distress.
Source: https://www.claimdepot.com/investigations/metrowest-community-federal-credit-union-data-breach-2025
MetroWest Community Federal Credit Union TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/metrowest-community-federal-credit-union
"id": "met1767124936",
"linkid": "metrowest-community-federal-credit-union",
"type": "Ransomware",
"date": "9/2025",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': '7,638 (7,573 in Massachusetts, '
'65 in Rhode Island)',
'industry': 'Depository Credit Intermediation',
'location': 'Framingham, Massachusetts, USA',
'name': 'MetroWest Community Federal Credit Union',
'type': 'Financial Institution (Credit Union)'}],
'attack_vector': 'Unknown (likely phishing or exploit)',
'customer_advisories': 'Notification by mail to affected individuals with '
'steps to mitigate risks',
'data_breach': {'data_exfiltration': 'Yes',
'number_of_records_exposed': '7,638',
'personally_identifiable_information': ['Name',
'Address',
'Telephone number',
'Social Security '
'number',
'Full financial '
'account number',
'Debit card number',
'Driver’s license '
'number'],
'sensitivity_of_data': 'High',
'type_of_data_compromised': ['Personally Identifiable '
'Information (PII)',
'Financial and accounting '
'information',
'Employee personal files']},
'date_detected': '2025-09-01',
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2025-12-29',
'description': 'MetroWest Community Federal Credit Union experienced a '
'significant data breach in early September 2025, linked to a '
'ransomware attack by the Akira group. Unauthorized access led '
'to the exfiltration of client documents, financial and '
'accounting information, and employee personal files, which '
'were later posted on a dark web network.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': 'Likely significant',
'data_compromised': 'Sensitive personally identifiable '
'information, financial and accounting data, '
'employee personal files',
'identity_theft_risk': 'High',
'legal_liabilities': 'Potential regulatory fines and lawsuits',
'payment_information_risk': 'High'},
'initial_access_broker': {'data_sold_on_dark_web': 'Yes (posted on dark web '
'in October 2025)'},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing',
'motivation': 'Financial gain, data exfiltration',
'ransomware': {'data_exfiltration': 'Yes', 'ransomware_strain': 'Akira'},
'recommendations': ['Sign up for free Experian IdentityWorks identity theft '
'protection services',
'Monitor financial accounts for suspicious activity',
'Place a fraud alert and request credit reports from '
'major bureaus',
'Seek legal help to understand rights and pursue '
'compensation'],
'references': [{'source': 'Shamis & Gentile P.A.'}],
'regulatory_compliance': {'legal_actions': 'Potential lawsuits from affected '
'individuals',
'regulatory_notifications': ['Massachusetts '
"Attorney General's "
'office']},
'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Notification by mail to affected '
'individuals, disclosure to '
"Massachusetts Attorney General's "
'office',
'third_party_assistance': 'Third-party forensic specialists'},
'threat_actor': 'Akira',
'title': 'MetroWest Community Federal Credit Union Data Breach',
'type': 'Data Breach, Ransomware'}