Marine Forces Reserve Data Breach Impacts 21,000 Victims

A major data spill stemming from the US Marine Corps Forces Reserve has impacted the personal information, including bank details, of thousands of Marines, sailors and civilians.

An attachment in an unencrypted email containing the personal confidential information of roughly 21,426 people were sent to the wrong email distribution list, leaking the details, the Marine Times reports.

The compromised data includes a handful of highly sensitive data including truncated social security numbers, truncated credit card information, mailing information, residential address, bank electronic funds transfer and bank routing numbers and emergency contact information.

“It was very quickly noticed and email recall procedures were implemented to reduce the number of accounts that received it,” Marine Forces Reserve spokesperson Major Andrew Aranda said.

The attachment and email was sent out by the DTA, or Defense Travel System, according to the report. The DTS program assists civilian defense personnel and the military with travel itineraries and settling expenses from official trips. The email, containing the data, was sent within the unclassified usmc.mil official Marine domain as well as some civilian accounts

While the Marines are still investigating and analysing the extent of the spread of the sensitive data while planning to implement future changes, Aranda added “no malicious intent was involved.” As things stand, the Marine Corps is looking to notify those affected by the data breach with additional guidance in installing safeguards from identity theft.

Aranda further stated:

The Marine Corps takes the protection of individual Marines’ private information and personal data very seriously, and we have steps in place to prevent the accidental or intentional release of such information.

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