CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-based Truist Bank is being sued by a group of customers who say it failed to protect their personal information from hackers.
"We’re aware of and currently reviewing the filing, but we don’t generally comment on pending litigation," a Truist spokesperson told WCNC Charlotte.
The customers claim their identities are at risk of being stolen after cybercriminals got their hands on personal information stored by the bank in 2023.
A Truist spokesperson said the 2023 "cybersecurity incident" was quickly contained and the bank notified customers just to make them aware that an investigation happened.
"We have found no indication of fraud arising from this incident at this time, but out of an abundance of caution and to care for our clients, we’re making identity protection services available at no cost. We sincerely apologize for any concern or inconvenience these notices may have caused," the spokesperson said.
But, the lawsuit claims hackers have already started using this information for fraud. It also says, in the future, criminals could possibly use information from the breach to file fraudulent tax returns, get government benefits and take out loans in some of these customers' names. They could even use customers' drivers license information to give to police during an arrest, the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Charlotte on Friday, says the data breach was a result of Truist's "failure to implement adequate and reasonable cybersecurity measures."
The bank regularly works with law enforcement and outside cybersecurity experts to help protect its systems and data, according to a spokesperson.