The recent TransUnion data breach exposed personal information of about 4.5 million people.
What Happened in the TransUnion Breach?
TransUnion confirmed a cyberattack that exposed data on roughly 4.46 million U.S. consumers. Unlike many credit bureau hacks, TransUnion says its core credit databases were not accessed – no credit reports or scores were stolen. The breach stemmed from an attack on a third-party support application (likely a Salesforce integration) used by TransUnion’s consumer support team. Experts link this incident to a wave of Salesforce-based breaches affecting hundreds of companies in 2025, as attackers exploited third-party integrations in cloud systems.
Data Exposed and Risks
According to TransUnion, the information compromised was “limited personal information” – but critically it included Social Security numbers along with names and contact details. As security experts warn, SSNs are highly sensitive: their theft greatly elevates the risk of identity theft and financial fraud. Although TransUnion has assured customers that credit files themselves were safe, the exposure of SSNs and other identifiers means affected individuals could be targeted for new account fraud or identity misuse. TransUnion is offering two years of free credit monitoring and fraud assistance through its Cyberscout subsidiary to those affected.
Protecting Yourself After the Breach
If you might be impacted, take immediate steps to safeguard your identity. Order your free credit reports (e.g. via AnnualCreditReport.com) and carefully review them for any unauthorized accounts or inquiries. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with all three bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – which can prevent new accounts being opened in your name. Enroll in the free credit monitoring offered by TransUnion or a similar identity-protection service, and remain alert for phishing scams referencing the breach. Change passwords on important accounts and use multi-factor authentication where possible. The Federal Trade Commission advises that if your Social Security number was exposed, you should regularly check credit reports and take advantage of any free monitoring or identity-theft insurance offered.
The Bigger Picture: Cloud and SaaS Vulnerabilities
This breach highlights a broader trend: attackers are increasingly targeting cloud-based services and third-party integrations to bypass traditional defenses. For example, Google’s Threat Intelligence team recently warned of “widespread data theft” exploiting Salesforce add-ons, affecting companies like Google, Cisco, and Chanel. In this context, even highly regulated firms like TransUnion can be vulnerable through a business partner or support tool. The potential fallout is significant: for perspective, when credit bureau Equifax was hacked in 2017, 147 million Americans were affected and the company ultimately paid $425 million in consumer relief.
