Pension Specialists Data Breach Exposes 71,000 Consumers

  • By Farrukh Mushtaq

    Farrukh Mushtaq

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    Farrukh Mushtaq, a digital marketer at PureSquare, possesses a keen interest in cybersecurity and enjoys writing about it. With several years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he brings expertise and passion to his work.

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  • 18 February 2025
  • 12 mins read

Table of Content

Table of Contents

Your financial records are at risk!

Did you know? A data breach at The Pension Specialists Ltd., a financial services firm specializing in retirement plan administration, has exposed sensitive information of over 71,000 consumers.

The compromised data may include personal and financial details, putting individuals at risk of fraud and identity theft.

We will analyze the breach, its implications, and what you can do to protect your data.

What Happened in The Pension Specialists Data Breach?

The breach was first detected when The Pension Specialists experienced a network disruption on February 24, 2024. 

A cybersecurity expert investigation determined that an unauthorized party had accessed files between February 18 and February 20, 2024.

By December 16, 2024, the company completed its review of compromised files and identified affected individuals. Data breach notification letters were officially sent out on February 14, 2025.

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Exposed Details

Although specific details on the type of data compromised have yet to be disclosed, breaches of this nature often include:

  • Full names
  • Social Security numbers
  • Financial account information
  • Retirement plan details
  • Contact information

What Are the Risks of Exposed Data?

If your information was compromised in this breach, you could face:

Financial Fraud

Malicious actors can use stolen data to open fraudulent accounts, file tax returns, or make unauthorized transactions.

Social Engineering Attacks

Attackers could exploit personal details and send convincing phishing emails, tricking victims into revealing more sensitive information.

Unauthorized Access to Retirement Accounts

Hackers could attempt to access accounts or redirect funds if retirement plan details were included in the breach.

Pension Specialists Data Breach retirement accounts

What Should I Do If MY Data is Compromised?

If you received a notification letter from The Pension Specialists Ltd., take immediate action as you are at a greater risk:

Monitor Your Financial Accounts

  • Check bank and retirement accounts for unusual activity.
  • Set up fraud alerts with your financial institutions.

Freeze Your Credit

  • Contact major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to freeze your credit and prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened.
Pension Specialists Data Breach freeze your credit

Beware of Phishing Attempts

  • Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails claiming to be from financial institutions.
  • Never share personal information unless you verify the source.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

  • Protect your retirement and banking accounts by enabling MFA for an added layer of security.

How to Minimize Damage in Case of a Data Breach

With financial data breaches becoming increasingly common, proactive steps are necessary:

  • Use strong, unique passwords for financial accounts.
  • Regularly update account security settings and enable alerts.
  • Enroll in identity theft protection services for real-time monitoring.

Enable PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring 

Use PureVPN and activate dark web monitoring to track your data from leaks and receive real-time alert notifications if someone posts your data on the dark web after a data breach. Here’s how you can use Dark Web Monitoring and take action before it’s too late:

  1. Install PureVPN on your device or update your existing VPN app.
  2. Visit the Members Area to get access.
  3. Go to Dark Web Monitoring from the main menu.
Enable PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring 

4. Select Add Assets to Monitor.

5. Add your email address, SSN, credit card number, passport number, and phone number. 

6. Mention the code sent to your registered number and you’re done.

Add your email address, SSN, credit card number, passport number, and phone number

7. Take the recommended steps if your data is part of a breach. 

8. You can mark the breaches as resolved. 

You can mark the breaches as resolved

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • How can I check if my data was compromised in The Pension Specialists breach?

    Plus

    Your data would likely be affected if you received an official notification letter from The Pension Specialists Ltd. You can also contact the company directly and monitor your financial statements for any unusual activity meanwhile.

  • What steps should I take to protect myself after a data breach?

    Plus

    Immediately change your account passwords, enable MFA, and check your financial statements for suspicious activity. You should place a fraud alert or credit freeze with major credit bureaus.

Wrapping Up

Not many of us realize this, but financial data breaches can cause severe damages, from identity theft to financial fraud. Taking proactive steps to secure your personal information is essential, while companies handling sensitive data must enhance their security frameworks. Stay vigilant!