Readerlink Distribution Services, LLC

The Maine Office of the Attorney General disclosed a **data breach** at **Readerlink Distribution Services, LLC**, occurring between **June 3, 2020, and June 17, 2020**, due to a **malware attack**. The incident compromised sensitive personal and financial data of **4,932 individuals**, including **9 Maine residents**. Exposed information included **names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and W-2 wage/tax details**, heightening risks of **identity theft and financial fraud**. The breach stemmed from **unauthorized system access**, likely facilitated by cybercriminals exploiting vulnerabilities or deploying malware. In response, Readerlink offered **12 months of identity theft protection via Kroll** to affected individuals. The nature of the stolen data—particularly **SSNs and tax records**—suggests severe potential for **long-term financial harm, fraudulent activity, and reputational damage** to both the company and impacted individuals. The breach underscores systemic weaknesses in cybersecurity defenses, leaving employees and associated parties vulnerable to exploitation.

Source: https://www.maine.gov/agviewer/content/ag/985235c7-cb95-4be2-8792-a1252b4f8318/58c308da-9d67-46bc-93f6-54109e88015b.shtml

TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/readerlink

"id": "rea032091825",
"linkid": "readerlink",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "6/2020",
"severity": "85",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"

{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 4932,
                        'industry': 'Distribution/Logistics',
                        'name': 'Readerlink Distribution Services, LLC',
                        'type': 'Private Company'}],
 'attack_vector': 'Malware',
 'customer_advisories': 'Identity theft protection services offered for 12 '
                        'months via Kroll',
 'data_breach': {'data_exfiltration': 'Yes',
                 'number_of_records_exposed': 4932,
                 'personally_identifiable_information': ['names',
                                                         'addresses',
                                                         'Social Security '
                                                         'numbers'],
                 'sensitivity_of_data': 'High',
                 'type_of_data_compromised': ['PII (Personally Identifiable '
                                              'Information)',
                                              'Tax Information']},
 'date_detected': '2020-06-17',
 'date_publicly_disclosed': '2020-10-09',
 'description': 'The Maine Office of the Attorney General reported a data '
                'breach involving Readerlink Distribution Services, LLC on '
                'October 9, 2020. The breach involved unauthorized access to '
                'systems between June 3, 2020, and June 17, 2020, due to a '
                'malware attack, affecting 4,932 individuals in total, '
                'including 9 Maine residents. The compromised information '
                'includes names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and W-2 '
                'wage and tax information. Identity theft protection services '
                'were offered for 12 months through Kroll.',
 'impact': {'data_compromised': ['names',
                                 'addresses',
                                 'Social Security numbers',
                                 'W-2 wage and tax information'],
            'identity_theft_risk': 'High (PII exposed)'},
 'references': [{'date_accessed': '2020-10-09',
                 'source': 'Maine Office of the Attorney General'}],
 'regulatory_compliance': {'regulatory_notifications': 'Maine Office of the '
                                                       'Attorney General'},
 'response': {'third_party_assistance': 'Kroll (identity theft protection '
                                        'services)'},
 'title': 'Data Breach at Readerlink Distribution Services, LLC',
 'type': 'Data Breach'}