The FBI is currently investigating a cyberattack on Karl Auto Group, the parent company of Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny, Iowa. This incident, which occurred over the Easter weekend, has raised concerns about the potential compromise of personal financial information of thousands of customers.
Impact on Operations
Karl Auto Group, recognized as the largest car and truck dealer in Iowa, faced significant disruptions due to the attack. Dealer Principal Bret Moyer, whose family has operated the business since 1978, described the situation as unsettling. “It’s really frustrating, you know? It’s like you’ve been violated,” Moyer expressed.
Employees arriving to work on that Saturday morning found themselves without phones and computers, highlighting the alarming nature of the breach. The company fears that sensitive customer information, including names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account information, passport numbers, and images, may have been exposed.
Response and Customer Safety
In response to the breach, Karl Auto Group has proactively posted notices on its website and sent emails to affected customers, advising them to take necessary precautions. Chris Coleman, president of the Iowa Better Business Bureau, commended the company for its swift notification to customers.
“Karl is complimented for notifying people right away,” Coleman said. He also encouraged customers to take protective measures such as changing passwords and signing up for bank notifications to safeguard their financial information.
Despite the breach, Karl Auto Group has stated that there is no evidence of misuse of customer or employee personal information at this time. Moyer emphasized the company’s commitment to its customers, stating, “Our customers are pretty much top of everything we do, and we’ve got to make sure that we take care of them the best that we can. And I feel like we have done that.”
Moyer also confirmed that the dealership did not pay any ransom to the cyberattacker and encouraged customers with questions or concerns to reach out to the dealership directly.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
