Eastern Bank Data Breach Lawsuit

Eastern Bank has notified select customers of a potential data breach involving unauthorized activity at a merchant where Eastern Bank debit cards were used. Although specific details are limited, affected cardholders are urged to monitor their accounts closely. If you were impacted, you may have legal options.

Eastern Bank’s Data Breach Investigation

Eastern Bank, one of the oldest and largest mutual banks in the United States, has issued a notice to certain customers warning of a potential data security incident. The alert concerns Eastern Bank’s Business Debit MasterCard® holders whose card numbers may have been compromised due to a breach at an unnamed merchant.

According to the notice, Eastern Bank was informed that a security incident occurred at a merchant where one or more affected customers had recently used their business debit cards. Due to limited information from the compromised merchant, Eastern Bank could not disclose the name of the merchant or the extent of the data exposure. The bank has not yet determined whether reissuing cards is necessary but promised to issue replacements if needed in the future.

Eastern Bank is advising customers to remain vigilant and monitor their accounts through online and mobile banking. While no fraudulent activity has been confirmed, the vague nature of the alert and the lack of concrete information raises concerns about how the compromised data could be misused.

This situation reflects a growing trend of indirect data breaches—where customers’ data is exposed not by the bank itself, but by third-party vendors and merchants. Unfortunately, financial institutions often struggle to get complete information when third parties experience a breach, leaving consumers in the dark.

Eastern Bank’s response includes providing customer support, encouraging real-time account monitoring, and offering the option to replace affected cards. But for business customers—especially those managing sensitive financial operations—even the potential exposure of debit card data could be disruptive.

While Eastern Bank is not the source of the breach, its customers may still suffer from fraudulent charges, stolen funds, or reputational damage. Customers who experience any unauthorized activity or feel their information was at risk should consider taking legal action, especially if the breach leads to financial harm.

When Did This Breach Occur?

Eastern Bank’s customer notification does not specify the exact date of the merchant’s breach. However, customers were recently informed of the issue and advised to monitor account activity immediately.

What Information Was Breached?

Based on Eastern Bank’s disclosure, the following data may have been compromised:

• Debit MasterCard® BusinessCard numbers (last 4 digits identified)
• Possibly associated cardholder transaction data (if accessed at the breached merchant)

Although Eastern Bank claims no confirmed misuse, compromised debit card data can be used to make fraudulent purchases, especially if card verification methods were also exposed during the breach.

What You Can Do

If you received this notice from Eastern Bank or used your debit card at a merchant around the time of the breach, take the following steps immediately:

1. Monitor Your Bank Account: Regularly check for unauthorized transactions via online or mobile banking.
2. Set Up Alerts: Use your bank’s alert system to get real-time updates about purchases and withdrawals.
3. Request a New Card: Even if Eastern Bank hasn’t automatically reissued your card, you can proactively request a replacement for added security.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: Call 1-800-EASTERN immediately to report fraud or questionable charges.
5. Document Everything: Keep records of communications with the bank and any suspicious activity for legal and security purposes.

If your debit card or account information was misused, or if you feel Eastern Bank did not take sufficient steps to prevent or mitigate this risk, you may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit. Class Action U can connect you with experienced attorneys who will evaluate your situation at no cost.

File a Data Breach Lawsuit Against Eastern Bank