Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has renewed her warning to consumers about data breaches following a cyber incident at TransUnion in July that affected over 4.4 million people. The breach involved unauthorized access via a third-party application, exposing personal information such as names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth. TransUnion reported that no credit information was compromised.

TransUnion is sending notifications by mail to those impacted and offering 24 months of free credit monitoring and fraud assistance services. While most states require companies to notify their attorney general’s office about data breaches—including details on the number of residents affected—Michigan law does not mandate such notification. As a result, it remains unclear how many Michigan residents were impacted.

Attorney General Nessel has advocated for stronger state laws requiring prompt notification of data breaches to her office. Earlier this year, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bills 360-364, which are designed to improve protections against data breaches and identity theft; these bills are now awaiting consideration in the Michigan House of Representatives.

“Michigan constantly rates among the top 20 states for identity theft reports, and data breaches like these only increase the risks for consumers,” Nessel said. “This is why I have long supported stronger data breach notification laws that would give us greater ability to track breaches, hold companies accountable, and better protect Michigan consumers. I urge residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the resources available to help safeguard their personal information.”

Nessel’s office advises consumers to watch out for phishing emails, strengthen or change passwords, avoid retaining unnecessary files, use multifactor authentication on accounts and devices, and regularly review their credit reports. Consumers can obtain free weekly credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion through the Annual Credit Report website.

The Attorney General also recommends placing a freeze on credit files after a breach involving Social Security numbers. A credit freeze blocks creditors from accessing an individual’s credit report unless lifted by the consumer; this can help prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts in someone else’s name. By law, placing or lifting a freeze with any major bureau—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion—is free.

To assist victims of identity theft, Nessel launched the Michigan Identity Theft Support System (MITS), which provides support for those seeking to restore stolen identities. Steps recommended include reviewing signs of identity theft, determining what information may have been compromised, contacting financial institutions if needed, checking credit reports with freezes as appropriate, and filing reports with either the Federal Trade Commission or police.

Consumers needing further assistance can submit a request through MITS or contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team by mail or phone using contact details provided online.