Lorain County Auditor’s Office Data Breach Lawsuit

The Lorain County Auditor’s Office has disclosed a data security incident involving unauthorized access to its internal network. The breach, discovered in May 2025, potentially exposed sensitive personal information belonging to county employees, residents, or taxpayers. While there is no evidence that the data has been misused, the county is offering complimentary identity protection services to those affected.

Lorain County Auditor’s Office’s Data Breach Investigation

On May 23, 2025, the Lorain County Auditor’s Office detected suspicious activity on its internal network, indicating that an unauthorized party had gained access to certain systems. Upon discovery, Lorain County immediately launched an investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and extent of the intrusion.

The forensic review revealed that between May and August 2025, portions of the Auditor’s internal network had been accessed without authorization. On August 6, 2025, the investigation confirmed that specific files stored on the impacted systems contained personally identifiable information (PII) that may have been viewed or acquired by the intruder.

In response, Lorain County took immediate steps to secure its network, reinforce cybersecurity protocols, and prevent similar incidents in the future. The Auditor’s Office continues to collaborate closely with cybersecurity professionals to strengthen defenses and ensure system integrity. The county also clarified that the breach was limited to systems managed by the Auditor’s Office and that there is no evidence other county departments were affected.

Lorain County has notified potentially impacted individuals and is offering free identity protection and credit monitoring services through Privacy Solutions. This includes access to Equifax credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, dark web monitoring, and identity restoration services—all provided at no cost to affected individuals.

When Did This Breach Occur?

The unauthorized access was detected on or about May 23, 2025, and following an extensive forensic investigation, Lorain County confirmed the potential data exposure on August 6, 2025. Notifications to affected individuals were issued shortly thereafter.

What Information Was Breached?

While the specific data elements vary by individual, the files stored on Lorain County’s impacted systems may have included:

• Name
• Address
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Tax-related information
• Financial or banking details
• Other personally identifiable information contained within the Auditor’s records

At this time, there is no indication that the exposed information has been misused.

What You Can Do

If you were notified of involvement in the Lorain County Auditor’s Office data breach, it is important to take steps to protect your personal information and credit:

1. Enroll in Free Identity Protection Services – Lorain County has partnered with Privacy Solutions to provide complimentary identity monitoring and credit protection services. Enrollment details, including your activation code and deadline, are included in the notification letter.
2. Monitor Your Financial Accounts – Regularly review your bank, credit card, and tax statements for unauthorized activity or irregularities.
3. Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze – Contact the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.
4. Stay Vigilant Against Phishing – Be cautious of unsolicited emails, calls, or texts requesting sensitive information. Always verify the legitimacy of communications before responding.
5. Update Passwords and Enable Multi-Factor Authentication – Strengthen your account security by changing passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication on financial and email accounts.

By remaining proactive and enrolling in the provided identity protection services, you can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft or financial fraud.

File a Data Breach Lawsuit Against Lorain County Auditor’s Office