Hertz Data Breach: What You Need to Know
On April 14, 2025, Hertz Corporation, a leading global rental car company, announced a cybersecurity incident that compromised the personal information of thousands of individuals. The breach is believed to have occurred sometime in the previous month, and the impacted data includes:
- Names: Full names of affected individuals
- Contact Information: Phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses
- Dates of Birth: Birthdates and ages
- Credit Card Information: Credit card numbers and expiration dates
- Driver’s License Information: Driver’s license numbers and issuing states
- Workers’ Compensation Claims: Details related to past and ongoing workers’ compensation claims
What Does This Mean for Affected Individuals?
If you have rented a vehicle from Hertz in the past few months, you may be at risk of identity theft or other fraudulent activities. It is important to take immediate action to protect yourself:
- Monitor Your Accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious activity. Report any unauthorized charges to your bank or credit card provider.
- Place a Fraud Alert: Contact the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will require creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
- Freeze Your Credit: Consider freezing your credit to prevent new credit accounts from being opened in your name. This will make it more difficult for identity thieves to open accounts, but it may also impact your ability to apply for loans or credit in the future.
- Review Your Insurance Policies: Review your insurance policies, including your auto, home, and identity theft insurance, to ensure you are fully covered.
What Does This Mean for the World?
The Hertz data breach is a reminder of the growing threat of cybercrime and the importance of data security. With the increasing digitization of personal and business data, the potential impact of data breaches is greater than ever:
- Financial Loss: Companies face significant financial losses due to data breaches, including the cost of investigating and remedying the breach, legal fees, and potential regulatory fines.
- Damage to Reputation: Data breaches can damage a company’s reputation, leading to decreased customer trust and potential loss of business.
- Identity Theft: Data breaches can lead to widespread identity theft, with individuals’ personal information being used for fraudulent activities.
- Cybersecurity Regulations: Data breaches can result in increased regulatory scrutiny and the implementation of new cybersecurity regulations.
Conclusion
The Hertz data breach is a reminder of the importance of data security and the potential consequences of a data breach. If you have rented a vehicle from Hertz in the past few months, take immediate action to protect yourself from identity theft and other fraudulent activities. For the rest of us, let this serve as a reminder to be vigilant about our personal information and to take steps to secure our data. Companies must also prioritize data security and implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect their customers’ information.
In a world where personal and business data is increasingly digitized, the potential impact of data breaches is greater than ever. Let us all work together to prioritize data security and protect ourselves and our businesses from cyber threats.
