For Immediate Release
Monday, June 26, 2023
Media Advisory: Law Foundation of Silicon Valley Announces a February 2023 Data Security Breach
San Jose, CA -- On Saturday, February 18, 2023, the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (Law Foundation) was the victim of a sophisticated ransomware attack. While operations were back up and running when offices reopened from the holiday weekend, data on one server was later discovered to have been compromised. The Law Foundation immediately engaged cybersecurity specialists who conducted an extensive forensic investigation.
The Law Foundation works to advance the rights of underrepresented individuals and families in our diverse community through free legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach with 90 attorneys, social workers, staff, and volunteers and helps approximately 10,000 individuals in a busy year.
Following the thorough investigation, the Law Foundation is notifying clients, staff, and the public of the data security breach. The investigation revealed that certain information within the Law Foundation’s system was unlawfully accessed and that the breach compromised the personal information of more than 40,000 clients, staff, and others.
“We take our commitment to our clients and this community very seriously. In keeping with that commitment, we are formally notifying clients and other affected individuals impacted by this data breach and offering free credit monitoring, identity protection services, and identity theft insurance,” said Alison Brunner, CEO of the Law Foundation.
“We are in the business of helping people with important and sensitive life issues. The breach impacts the core of our nonprofit mission to help low-income individuals and families with serious issues to improve their lives. We have partnered with experienced vendors to notify and assist those who are impacted,” she added.
A thorough investigation revealed that the data breach may have impacted the personal information of 42,525 clients, staff, and others.
The type of personal information involved includes Social Security numbers, medical records, immigration numbers, and financial data. Additional data impacted may have included driver’s license numbers; financial account/payment card information; passport/government identification; taxpayer-identification numbers; dates of birth; and digital signatures.
Brunner continued saying, “We deeply value the trust of our clients, staff, and other partners and are thankful for the community’s support. We recognize that breaches like this have become all too common and understand that rebuilding trust with clients and others will take time.”
For nearly 50 years, the Law Foundation has been dedicated to serving low-income individuals including people living with mental health and physical disabilities, foster children, immigrant youth, individuals who are at risk of displacement and homelessness, and more. Through their work, the Law Foundation has strived to obtain housing stability, improved health outcomes, education access, and financial security for our client communities.
Those who receive formal notification from the Law Foundation or believe their data may have been breached can contact the Call Center that has been set up to assist individuals at 1-888-220-5371, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time, except major U.S. holidays. In addition, the Law Foundation encourages all to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud for you and your families by reviewing your credit reports/account statements and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Individuals may also place a fraud alert or credit freeze by contacting the credit reporting agencies: TransUnion 1-800-680-7289, P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016, transunion.com; Experian 1-888-397-3742, P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013, experian.com; Equifax 1-888-298-0045, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348, equifax.com.
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About the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley: Each day, our unique team of attorneys, social workers, community workers, and pro bono attorneys work together to create a community where we all have access: to a home, to quality education, and to healthcare. https://www.lawfoundation.org/