COLUMBUS, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) has issued a Consumer Alert to Ohio residents who have used MoneyGram services following a recent cyber-attack. The money transmitter, licensed with DFI, operates in over 200 cities across Ohio. The breach, occurring between Sept. 20-22, 2024, allowed an unauthorized third party to access sensitive personal information from certain MoneyGram customers. Compromised data includes names, contact information, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, government-issued identification documents, bank account numbers, transaction information, and, for some individuals, criminal investigation information. MoneyGram has taken immediate steps to contain the breach and is working with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement on an ongoing investigation. The company has pledged to provide affected U.S. consumers with two years of complimentary identity protection and credit monitoring services. Their systems have since resumed normal operations. DFI Deputy Superintendent Ingrid White emphasized the importance of quick action by consumers to limit the impact of cyberattacks. She advised individuals to regularly review financial statements and credit reports to identify unauthorized transactions or accounts. Ohioans who have used MoneyGram’s services are encouraged to take the following steps:
  • Review Financial Statements and Credit Reports: Stay alert to any unauthorized transactions by regularly checking all financial statements. Free weekly credit reports can be obtained through AnnualCreditReport.com.
  • Consider Freezing Your Credit: A security freeze prevents prospective creditors from accessing your credit file, hindering identity thieves from opening new accounts under your name. Contact the three major credit reporting bureaus for assistance:
    • Equifax: (800) 685-1111
    • Experian: (888) 397-3742
    • TransUnion: (888) 909-8872
  • For Identity Theft Victims: If you believe you’re the victim of identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) website at IdentityTheft.gov for resources and step-by-step instructions on recovery.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than May 23, 2025. For more information, visit SBA.gov/disaster.