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Petco introduced data leak who disclosed confidential information about clients. The company disclosed details in government documents after it discovered a configuration in one of its software applications that made certain files available online. This problem has now been fixed, but the effect is significant.
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THIRD PARTY VIOLATION REVEALS CHATGPT ACCOUNT DETAILS
Petco has disclosed a breach that exposed customer data after software settings left files accessible online. (Photographer: Tiffany Hagler-Gird/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
What Petco says
The data exposed included names, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, credit or debit card numbers and dates of birth, according to reports filed with the Texas Attorney General's Office. Filings in California, Massachusetts and Montana confirm there are additional affected residents.
In California, companies must report violations that involve at least 500 state residents. Petco did not disclose the exact figure, suggesting the real amount is higher. For context, Petco reported that it served more than 24 million customers in 2022.
Petco says the company sent notices to individuals whose information was involved. A sample notice released by the California Attorney General explains that software settings allow certain files to be accessible on the Internet. Petco says it has removed these files, corrected settings and added new security measures.
The company offers free credit and identity theft monitoring to victims in California, Massachusetts and Montana. It is unclear whether similar support is being offered to affected Texans.
We reached out to Petco for comment, and a spokesperson provided CyberGuy with the following statement:
“We recently discovered a setting in one of our applications that inadvertently made some Petco files available online. Once the issue was identified, we took immediate steps to correct it and began an investigation. We have notified the individuals whose information was involved and continue to monitor any further issues. We take this incident seriously. To prevent this from happening again, we have taken and will continue to take steps to improve the security of our network.”
What does this violation mean for you?
Violation Revealing government IDs, financial numbers and dates of birth creates long-term risks. Criminals use this mixture of information to open accounts, take over existing ones, or attempt to pass identity verification. Even if fraud does not occur immediately, exposed data can remain in criminal markets for years.
How to stay safe after such a breach
There are several steps you can take today to help reduce your risk and protect your identity in the future.
1) Freeze the loan
A freeze blocks new credit accounts in your name. It also prevents criminals from opening loans or credit cards using your stolen information. You can freeze your credit for free with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
2) Add two more friezes
Two additional freezes apply to accounts that don't go through the major credit bureaus. Freeze ChexSystems to prevent criminals from opening checking or savings accounts. Freeze NCTUE to block fake phone, cable or utility accounts.
3) Turn on account alerts.
Set up alerts for bank accounts, credit cards, and online shopping accounts. Alerts help you quickly detect suspicious activity.
4) Use a password manager
Strong passwords protect you from credential stuffing attacks. This happens when criminals take away stolen passwords from one violation and try them on other sites. A password manager creates unique passwords for each account and helps stop attacks before they start.
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
5) Keep track of your personality
If Petco offers you free identity theft monitoring, sign up as soon as possible. This will help you identify fraud that may occur months or years later.
Identity theft companies may track personal information such as your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and will 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
WHY YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING DATA NEEDS CLEANING NOW
Government documents show Petco customers had access to Social Security and financial information as a result of the hack. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
6) Delete the disclosed personal data.
Data broker sites collect and transmit personal data that facilitates fraud. Deleting your information reduces your vulnerability and makes you a harder target.
While no service can guarantee complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is indeed 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 of scammers linking hacked data to information they can find on the dark web, making it harder for them to succeed. aimed at 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
WHY FRAUDERS OPEN BANK ACCOUNTS IN YOUR NAME
Petco says it has fixed the software issue and notified individuals whose information was compromised. (Photo by Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
7) Watch out for phishing scams and use powerful antivirus software.
Scammers often report hacks via emails or text messages that appear to be real. Slow down and check each message before you click. A powerful antivirus helps block malicious links and alerts you if something seems risky.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your personal information is to have strong protection. antivirus software installed on all your devices. 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
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Kurt's key takeaways
Data breaches happen often, but in this case we are talking about information that can cause long-term harm. You can protect yourself by taking a few quick steps that will reduce the likelihood of fraud and limit the ability of criminals to access your data.
How much do you trust companies to protect your personal information? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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