**Premier Auto Credit Hit by Ransomware Attack, Exposing Sensitive Customer Data**
Premier Auto Credit, a California-based financial services company specializing in alternative auto financing, suffered a ransomware attack between January 11 and 15, 2025, resulting in the exposure of sensitive customer data. The breach was carried out by the cybercriminal group Cloak, which later published 156 GB of stolen data on the dark web.
The compromised information includes full names and Social Security numbers, affecting individuals across multiple states, including at least three residents in Massachusetts. Premier Auto Credit detected the incident after noticing unusual network activity and launched a forensic investigation. The company disclosed the breach to the California and Massachusetts Attorneys General on December 23, 2025.
The law firm Shamis & Gentile P.A. is investigating the incident on behalf of affected individuals, who may be eligible for compensation. Premier Auto Credit has offered free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services through Cyberscout to impacted customers. The breach underscores the ongoing risks of ransomware attacks targeting financial services providers.
Source: https://www.claimdepot.com/investigations/premier-auto-credit-data-breach-2025
University of Southern California cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/university-of-southern-california
Premier Auto Credit cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/premier-auto-credit
"id": "UNIPRE1766527872",
"linkid": "university-of-southern-california, premier-auto-credit",
"type": "Cyber Attack",
"date": "1/2025",
"severity": "25",
"impact": "1",
"explanation": "Attack without any consequences"{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Auto Financing',
'location': 'Glendale, California',
'name': 'Premier Auto Credit',
'type': 'Financial Services Company'}],
'customer_advisories': 'Affected individuals notified and advised to take '
'protective measures',
'data_breach': {'data_exfiltration': 'Yes',
'personally_identifiable_information': 'Yes',
'sensitivity_of_data': 'High',
'type_of_data_compromised': ['Full name',
'Social Security number']},
'date_detected': '2025-01-15',
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2025-12-23',
'description': 'Premier Auto Credit experienced a significant data breach '
'between Jan. 11, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2025, resulting from a '
'ransomware attack by the group known as Cloak. The breach '
'exposed sensitive personally identifiable information of '
'customers, with 156 GB of data posted on the dark web.',
'impact': {'data_compromised': '156 GB', 'identity_theft_risk': 'High'},
'initial_access_broker': {'data_sold_on_dark_web': 'Yes'},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing',
'ransomware': {'data_exfiltration': 'Yes', 'ransomware_strain': 'Cloak'},
'recommendations': ['Sign up for free Cyberscout credit monitoring and '
'identity theft protection services',
'Monitor financial statements regularly for suspicious '
'activity',
'Request a fraud alert or credit report from major credit '
'bureaus',
'Seek legal help to understand rights and pursue '
'compensation'],
'references': [{'source': 'Shamis & Gentile P.A.'}],
'regulatory_compliance': {'regulatory_notifications': ['California Attorney '
"General's office",
'Massachusetts '
"Attorney General's "
'office']},
'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Disclosed to California and '
"Massachusetts Attorney General's "
'offices'},
'threat_actor': 'Cloak',
'title': 'Premier Auto Credit Data Breach Investigation',
'type': 'Ransomware Attack'}