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'}