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Who was affected:
Impacted Data:
Full names
Case numbers
Dates of birth
Client Identification Numbers (CIN)
Social Security numbers
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) disclosed a data breach involving unauthorized access to personally identifiable information (PII) between January 2024 and May 2025. A County employee accessed sensitive records without a legitimate business reason, affecting individuals enrolled in public assistance programs such as CalWORKs, General Relief, and CalFresh.
DPSS identified the privacy incident on May 28, 2025, and confirmed it during an internal investigation completed on May 7, 2026. The breach involved unauthorized access to electronic records by a County employee, prompting corrective measures, internal review, and notification to affected individuals.
The investigation assessed the scope and type of data accessed, which included sensitive personal and benefit-related information. DPSS emphasized its commitment to protecting personal information and has referred the matter to County human resources to determine appropriate corrective and disciplinary actions.
The breach occurred between January 2024 and May 2025. The incident was discovered on May 28, 2025, and the investigation concluded on May 7, 2026. Notification to affected individuals was issued following the internal review.
The compromised information may have included:
Affected individuals are advised to take the following steps to protect themselves:
Proactive monitoring can help mitigate potential misuse of personal information and protect against identity theft.
If you were affected by this data breach, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through a data breach lawsuit.
Government agencies handling sensitive public assistance information are required to implement reasonable cybersecurity and privacy safeguards. Unauthorized access to PII and benefit data can lead to identity theft, financial harm, and privacy violations.
A data breach lawsuit may help recover costs for identity protection, time spent monitoring accounts, and emotional distress. Legal action can also encourage agencies to strengthen data security practices and prevent future incidents.
Contact us at Class Action U, where we’ll connect you with a lawyer skilled in class action lawsuits. If you’ve been contacted about this breach, received notice, or discovered you were impacted, fill out our quick, easy, and secure form to sign up. There is no cost to reach out to our legal partner and no obligation after speaking with someone from our team.
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A data breach occurs when sensitive, confidential, or protected information is accessed, stolen, or disclosed without authorization. Data breaches often occur through phishing emails, malware, weak passwords, insider threats, or unsecured databases. Indicators of a data breach can include unexpected password resets, suspicious account activity, unauthorized transactions, or notifications from companies about compromised information.If you suspect your data has been compromised, you must take measures and act quickly. Change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, review your financial accounts for unusual activity and consider freezing your credit.
Once stolen, your personal information may be sold on the dark web or used for identity theft and financial fraud. In some cases, hackers use the data to extort companies or launch further attacks. Victims often face long-term risks, including damage to credit and privacy.
If you receive a data breach notification, don’t ignore it. Immediately change passwords for the affected account and any others that share credentials. Enroll in any free credit monitoring services offered and monitor financial statements closely.
To pursue a data breach claim, you’ll need documentation showing your information was compromised and proof of resulting harm, such as fraudulent charges, credit score damage, or identity theft reports. Notification letters, financial records, and communication with the breached company can help support your claim.
Yes. If a company fails to protect consumer data or delays notifying victims, it may be held liable under state and federal privacy laws. Many victims join class action lawsuits to recover financial losses and hold negligent organizations accountable.
Data breach settlements vary widely depending on the size of the breach, type of data compromised, and damages suffered by victims. Payouts may include cash compensation, identity theft protection, or reimbursement for losses. Many settlements range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per person. A skilled data breach lawyer can guide victims through the complex legal process, ensuring their rights are protected. If you’ve received a data breach notification or believe your personal data was exposed, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact Class Action U to learn more about how to join a data breach lawsuit and understand the process of filing.
