Universal Lenders Data Breach Class Action Investigation

At Console & Associates, our data breach lawyers are closely examining the recent Universal Lenders data breach. This data breach was disclosed following a cyber security incident at Universal Lenders, which has affected 19,575 individuals, potentially exposing sensitive personal identifiable information.

What Happened?

A recent report from the Maine Attorney General's office states that the Universal Lenders data breach occurred due to a cybersecurity incident that began on November 7, 2024. The company detected a network disruption and launched an investigation while engaging external cybersecurity experts.

By December 5, 2024, the investigation confirmed unauthorized access to and possible acquisition of files containing confidential consumer information. A thorough review process was completed on January 14, 2025, to identify affected individuals and the scope of compromised data.

Data breach letters were sent out by Universal Lenders on January 21, 2025, informing affected individuals about the nature of the incident and their specific compromised data.

Steps To Take If You Were Affected By A Data Breach

1. Monitor all accounts and credit reports closely
   1. Set up alerts for suspicious activity
   2. Review all financial statements thoroughly
   3. Request free credit reports and examine them for unauthorized entries
      
      
2. Consider freezing your credit
   1. Contact all three major credit bureaus to place a freeze
   2. Understand this prevents new accounts from being opened in your name
   3. Remember to temporarily lift the freeze when applying for legitimate credit
      
      
3. Look out for phishing attempts using information from the Universal Lenders data breach
   1. Be wary of unexpected emails or messages claiming to be from Universal Lenders
   2. Don't click on suspicious links or download unexpected attachments
   3. Verify all communications through official channels
      
      
4. Change passwords for affected accounts
   1. Create strong, unique passwords for each account
   2. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters
   3. Consider using a password manager for better security
      
      
5. Enable two-factor authentication where possible
   1. Add this extra layer of security to all important accounts
   2. Use authenticator apps rather than SMS when available
   3. Keep backup codes in a secure location

For more detailed guidance, explore our “Guide for Victims of a Data Breach” to better understand measures you can take to protect yourself after a data breach.

Universal Lenders Overview

Universal Lenders LLC operates within the automotive financial services sector from their headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. The company provides financing solutions to automotive dealerships nationwide through their AutoPayPlus® service platform. Their business model centers on facilitating vehicle payment management between consumers and dealerships. Universal Lenders LLC maintains a workforce of 25 employees and reports annual revenue of $5 million.

Universal Lenders Data Breach Victims Have Rights - Don’t Wait to Act

How do you know that you were affected by the Universal Lenders data breach? Usually victims receive a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH in the mail, but the impact of a breach can be felt long before notices are sent to those affected. This can be in the form of fraudulent financial activity and other forms of identity theft.

If you believe you were affected, we encourage you to reach out to our data breach law firm for legal assistance through a no-cost consultation about your situation. We will review your eligibility to file a data breach class action lawsuit and discuss your legal rights and any compensation that may be available to you.

Complete our confidential contact form below and a member of our legal team will be in touch.