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Data leaks related to financial services companies are no longer uncommon, but they still hit harder when it comes to Social Security numbers. In the latest incident, US fintech company 700Credit confirmed that the personal data of more than 5.8 million people was exposed. The breach did not result from a direct hack into 700Credit's internal network, which makes it even more concerning. It all started with a third-party integration partner and quietly escalated over several months before being discovered. By the time the problem was contained, hackers had managed to steal a significant amount of sensitive consumer data.
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Data leak reveals information about 400 thousand bank clients
A data breach at fintech firm 700Credit exposed the personal information of more than 5.8 million people after hackers accessed the data through a third-party vendor. (Photo by Philip Doolian/Photo Alliance via Getty Images)
What went wrong at 700Credit
The company says violation dates back to July, when an attacker compromised one of its third-party integration partners, as reported by Bleeping Computer. During this intrusion, the attacker discovered an open API that could be used to access customer information associated with 700Credit dealership customers. The integration partner did not inform 700Credit of the compromise, allowing access to continue undetected.
The suspicious activity was only discovered on October 25, when 700Credit noted unusual behavior on its systems and began an internal investigation. The company says it has engaged third-party computer forensics experts to assess the scope of the incident and determine what data was affected.
According to the company's findings, some records in its web application were copied without permission. These records are for car dealership customers who use 700Credit services. Managing director Ken Hill later confirmed that approximately 20% of consumer data accessible through the affected system was stolen between May and October.
What data was exposed and why it matters
While 700Credit has not released a comprehensive list of all data fields involved, the company has confirmed that highly sensitive personal information was exposed. This includes social security numbers, which are significantly increases risk identity theft and financial fraud. When SSNs are compromised, the consequences are long-lasting. You can't just change them like a password.
The company published a dedicated page on its website describing the breach and the types of information affected. In response, 700Credit is offering affected individuals 12 months of free identity protection and credit monitoring through TransUnion. Once notified, you have 90 days to register for this service.
Notably, audio streaming platform SoundCloud and adult video sharing platform Pornhub were also hit by data breaches involving third-party providers. There is no indication that the same vendor was involved in all three incidents, but these cases highlight how risky third-party access can be when vendors handle sensitive consumer data.
CyberGuy reached out to 700Credit for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
PASSWORD MANAGER PAID AFTER MAJOR DATA LEAK
Social Security numbers were among the sensitive data stolen in a months-long attack involving 700Credit and an external integration partner. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
6 Steps You Can Take to Stay Safe After a Data Breach
When such violations occur, the damage is not always immediate. Your data can sit in underground markets for months before it is abused. That's why it helps to block things in advance. Here are six practical steps you can take.
1) Use powerful antivirus software.
A good antivirus can help block malicious downloads, phishing links, and spyware that often occur after major data breaches. Attackers know that your data has been exposed and may try to attack you directly with malware scams.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, To gain potential access to your personal information, all of your devices must have powerful antivirus software installed. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for 2025's top antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
2) Switch to a password manager
If you're still reusing passwords, it's time to stop. A password manager helps you create strong and unique passwords for each service and store them securely. If one site is hacked, your other accounts will remain protected.
Next, check to see if your email has been compromised in past hacks. Our #1 password manager (see. Cyberguy.com) Pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks to see if your email address or passwords have been involved in known breaches. If you find a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best password managers of 2025, reviewed by experts, at Cyberguy.com.
3) Enable two-factor authentication everywhere
Include 2FA for email, banking, social media and cloud accounts. Even if someone has your password, they won't be able to log in without the second factor. App-based authenticators are more secure than SMS where possible.
4) Sign up for identity theft and credit monitoring.
Monitoring services alert you when new accounts, loans, or credit checks appear in your name. Early warnings give you the opportunity to act before serious financial damage occurs.
Identity theft companies can track personal information such as your Social Security number, phone number, and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or used to open an account. They can also help you freeze your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
Check out my tips and best practices on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.
PETCO CONFIRMS MAJOR DATA BREAK RELATING TO CUSTOMER DATA
Hackers quietly gained access to consumer data associated with car dealerships using 700Credit services before the breach was discovered in October. (Photo by Jacques Silva/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
5) Consider using a personal data removal service.
Your phone number, address and other details are often already scattered across data broker sites. Data removal services help reduce your digital footprint, making it more difficult for attackers to profile and target you after a breach.
Although no service can guarantee complete removal of your data from Internet, A data removal service is truly a smart choice. They don't come cheap, and neither does your privacy. These services do all the work for you, actively monitoring and systematically removing your personal information from hundreds of websites. This is what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk that scammers will link leaked data to information they can find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top data removal services and get a free scan to see if your personal information has already been published online by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to see if your personal information has already been published online: Cyberguy.com.
6) Freeze your credit if SSNs are revealed.
When it comes to your Social Security number, a credit freeze is one of the strongest protections you can have. It prevents new credit accounts from being opened without your consent and can be temporarily closed if necessary. To learn more about how to do this, go to Cyberguy.com and search for “How to Freeze Your Credit.”
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Kurt's Key Takeaway
Third-party APIs and integrations are essential to modern digital services, but they also increase the attack surface. As this case shows, when third-party partners fail to quickly uncover wrongdoing, the downstream consequences can be enormous. If you receive a notice from 700Credit, please take it seriously. Sign up for a credit monitoring service, review your credit reports and consider freezing them. Even if fraud has not yet occurred, SSN violations often lead to delayed abuse months or even years later.
Should companies be held liable when a third party vendor discloses customer information? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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