Neiman Marcus data breach is a major breach that puts the personal information of around 64,472 customers at risk.
The breach was confirmed by a Neiman Marcus spokesperson during an interview with The Cyber Express. The spokesperson explained, “Neiman Marcus Group (NMG) recently learned that an unauthorized party gained access to a cloud database platform used by NMG that is provided by a third party, Snowflake.” Upon discovering the breach, Neiman Marcus promptly controlled the situation by disabling access to the compromised platform.
The Neiman Marcus data breach: A detailed overview
In May 2024, luxury retailer Neiman Marcus experienced a significant data breach, exposing sensitive personal information of approximately 64,472 customers. The breach involved unauthorized access to a cloud database platform operated by Snowflake, a third-party service provider.
The investigation revealed that the Neiman Marcus data breach compromised various types of personal information. The specific data exposed included:
- Customer names
- Contact information (such as email addresses and phone numbers)
- Dates of birth
- Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman Gift Card Numbers (excluding gift card PINs)
The extent of compromised information varies by individual, but these data points are critical as they can be used in identity theft or targeted phishing attacks.
Actions taken by Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus responded to the breach with urgency and transparency:
- Containment: The company disabled access to the affected platform to prevent further unauthorized access.
- Investigation: Neiman Marcus initiated a comprehensive investigation with the help of leading cybersecurity experts to understand the scope and impact of the breach.
- Notification: The company notified law enforcement authorities and began informing affected customers in compliance with regulatory requirements. The Maine Attorney General’s office was among the notified authorities.
- Support for customers: Customers were advised to monitor their financial statements for any unusual activity. Neiman Marcus provided resources to assist those concerned about identity theft, including instructions on obtaining free credit reports, reporting fraud, and placing security freezes on credit files. Also, Neiman Marcus has established a dedicated toll-free hotline (1-885-889-2743) to assist affected customers with questions or concerns related to the data breach. This hotline is part of the company’s efforts to provide continuous support and transparency to those impacted.
What do you need to do now?
The first step is to check your bank and credit card statements regularly. Look for any charges you don’t recognize. If you find any unusual activity, contact your bank or credit card company right away. Keeping a close eye on your accounts helps you catch problems early and deal with them quickly.
You can get free credit reports from the major credit reporting agencies. It’s important to do this, especially after a data breach. Review these reports carefully to spot any new accounts or credit inquiries you didn’t make. Regularly checking your credit reports can help you find and address identity theft early on.
If you find anything suspicious, report it immediately. Contact local law enforcement and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Reporting these issues quickly helps authorities investigate and stop fraud. The FTC can also help you create a record of identity theft, which can be useful when resolving issues with creditors and financial institutions.
If you’re worried about identity theft, consider placing a security freeze on your credit files. A security freeze stops others from accessing your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. While you’ll need to lift the freeze when you want to apply for new credit, it offers strong protection. To do this, contact each of the major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Stay updated on any new information about the data breach, and be cautious of scams. Neiman Marcus has set up a toll-free hotline to help affected customers with any questions or concerns. Use these resources to get support and guidance. Be wary of phishing attempts and other scams that might try to take advantage of the situation.
About Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, oversees prestigious brands such as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Horchow, and Last Call. Since September 2021, the company has been owned by a consortium of investment firms led by Davidson Kempner Capital Management, Sixth Street Partners, and Pacific Investment Management.
All images are generated by Eray Eliaçık/Bing
