A class action lawsuit has been filed after personal information of up to 500 million guests was allegedly exposed as a result of a Marriott data breach. Customers and guests whose personal information was accessed in the incident could be exposed other forms of fraud, including identity theft. Individuals who were potentially affected by the breach may be able to seek compensation with the help of a data breach lawsuit attorney.
If you suspect that your personal information may have been compromised as a result of a potential Marriott data breach, contact Attorney Group to learn more. We provide free, confidential and no-obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you have a claim we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Flaw in Reservation System Reportedly Dates Back to 2014
On November 30, 2018, Marriott International announced that it had “taken measures to investigate and address a data security incident” associated with Starwood, the company’s guest reservation service. According to the press release, Marriott International was alerted to the data breach in early September 2018 and later discovered that an unauthorized third party had access to the Starwood network since 2014.
Information obtained by the hackers reportedly includes “some combination of name, mailing address, phone number, email address, passport number, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) account information, date of birth, gender, arrival and departure information, reservation date, and communication preferences.” Some guests and customers may have had their payment card and expiration date stolen as well. Although Marriott says the payment card information was encrypted, it is not known if the hackers had possession of information needed to access the encrypted information.
As a result of the data breach, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of people whose personal information was potentially compromised. The complaint alleges that Marriott failed to uphold its obligation “to protect against unauthorized access to confidential consumer data” and “to take appropriate protective measures” with regards to customer and guest personal information.
Marriott International is a hospitality company with hundreds of hotel and resort properties around the world. Starwood brands include: W Hotels, St. Regis, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Element Hotels, Aloft Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton and Design Hotels. Starwood branded timeshare properties are also included.
Consumers Affected by a Marriott Data Breach May Be Entitled to Compensation
Data breaches can possibly lead to serious problems for those affected. According to the class action lawsuit, plaintiffs and other class members could have been left exposed to continued misuse and ongoing risk of misuse of their personal information “for months, or even years, without being able to take necessary precautions to prevent imminent harm.”
When financial information is wrongfully accessed, victims could be required to pay fees for monitoring their credit to ensure their credit score isn’t negatively impacted from the violation. Likewise, those affected by a consumer data breach could become victim of identity fraud and may have to pay to receive a credit report to check on fraudulent charges.
Victims of data breaches may be entitled to receive compensation for any personal information that may have been compromised, and the responsible party may be liable for financial losses resulting from a data breach. Those affected by the Marriott data breach are encouraged to seek legal counsel from an attorney familiar with data breaches and other security incidents to get more information about their rights and remedies.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
