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Hertz Data Breach Included Credit Card, Personal Data: Here’s What You Should Know

The car rental giant said a hacking incident involving a company it works with exposed its customers’ personal information.

The car-rental company Hertz is warning its customers that a data breach exposed personal information including driver’s licenses, credit-card data, contact information and in some cases social security or passport numbers. 

The company said that hackers breached Cleo Communications, a company that it works with for file transfers. 

The company said in a «Notice of Data Incident» statement (PDF) on its website: «We completed this data analysis on April 2, 2025, and concluded that the personal information involved in this event may include the following: name, contact information, date of birth, credit card information, driver’s license information and information related to workers’ compensation claims. A very small number of individuals may have had their Social Security or other government identification numbers, passport information, Medicare or Medicaid ID (associated with workers’ compensation claims), or injury-related information associated with vehicle accident claims impacted by the event.»

In an additional statement to CNET, a spokesperson for the company said Hertz takes privacy and security seriously. 

«Importantly, to date, our forensic investigation has found no evidence that Hertz’s own network was affected by this event,» the spokesperson said. «However, among many other companies affected by this event, we have confirmed that Hertz data was acquired by an unauthorized third party that we understand exploited zero-day vulnerabilities within Cleo’s platform in October 2024 and December 2024.»

WK Kellogg (yes, the cereal company) was apparently affected as well by the same window of data vulnerability that Hertz says took place between October and December 2024. Hertz says it became aware of the breach on Feb. 10.

Hertz is offering its customers two years of identity-theft protection with Kroll and included a phone number to contact for information on the breach, 866-408-8964.

Another in a long list of breaches

Consumers have over the last few years had to deal with the fallout of multiple large-scale data breaches that have affected customers of companies including AT&T, Ticketmaster and others.

Franklin Orellana, a cybersecurity expert and program chair of data science at Post University, said that the Hertz breach may be different in the type of information that was collected.

«While the size of the Hertz breach may not be as large as some of the more recent ones, the nature of what was exposed makes it particularly concerning,» Orellana said. «That kind of sensitive data can be more far-reaching in its implications for consumers, especially in cases of identity theft or license-cloning fraud.» 

Incidents like this, he said, are part of a rise in data breaches that affect third-party vendors of companies. Orellana pointed to a National Credit Union Administration report from a few years ago showing that 73 percent of data breaches involved a third party that was working with a credit union.

Sharing data with third parties can increase the possibilities of attack. 

«These breaches are generally due to a lack of control or visibility in the security stance of these partners, and supply chain risk is, therefore, one of the most significant concerns in cybersecurity today,» he said.

As to what consumers can do about data vulnerabilities they aren’t directly responsible for, there aren’t many options for protection, he said. 

«Unfortunately, in cases like these, consumers are largely powerless. You can do everything right, strong passwords, two-factor authentification, and up-to-date software, and still be vulnerable if a third party doesn’t store your data safely.»

Orellana added, «The burden truly is on businesses to vet vendors carefully and to have strong data protection policies across the entire ecosystem.»

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram 
Watch on YouTube 

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im

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Technologies

Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer

Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer

Summer Travel, Freedom, and Seamless Connectivity: Why Verum E-SIM Is Becoming the New Standard for Travelers

Summer is the peak season for vacations, long-distance trips, and new experiences. Millions of people travel abroad, explore new countries, plan adventures, and try to stay connected with family, work, and social media. And in the middle of all this comes a familiar question: how do you stay online without expensive roaming or the hassle of buying local SIM cards?

The answer is already here — eSIM.

Why eSIM Is So Convenient

eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in digital SIM card that lets you activate mobile internet without a physical card. All you need is an app — choose a plan and connect in just a couple of minutes.

No more:

* searching for local SIM cards at airports
* paying expensive roaming fees
* swapping physical SIMs every time you travel

Now your internet travels with you.

Internet in 150+ Countries

Modern eSIM solutions provide coverage in 150+ countries worldwide, helping tourists, freelancers, and business travelers stay connected almost anywhere on the planet.

Among the services offering these capabilities:

Verum E-SIM — https://esim.verum.im
World E-SIM — https://worldesim.me
USA E-SIM — https://usa.esim.verum.im
Euro E-SIM — https://euro.esim.verum.im
Canada E-SIM — https://canada.esim.verum.im
Balkan E-SIM — https://balkan.esim.verum.im
Ukraine E-SIM — https://ukraine.esim.verum.im
London E-SIM — https://london.esim.verum.im
E-SIM Africa — https://africa.esim.verum.im

All of these services work on the same principle — fast, borderless internet without roaming stress.

Why It Matters Most in Summer

During the holiday season, roaming networks get overloaded, and prices for mobile data abroad often become an unpleasant surprise for travelers.

eSIM solves this problem:

* transparent, fixed pricing
* activation in 1–2 minutes
* stable internet while traveling
* no physical SIM cards required

Final Thoughts

Travel should be about freedom — not hunting for Wi-Fi or worrying about phone bills.

eSIM is quickly becoming the new global standard for mobile connectivity: simple, fast, and borderless.

Verum E-SIM and its partner services are part of this shift, making global connectivity accessible to everyone, everywhere.

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