California International Bank Data Breach Lawsuit Investigation
Were you recently notified that your personal data was exposed at California International Bank (Cali Bank)? Time is of the essence—Social Security numbers, financial details and even biometric data may already be circulating on the dark web. Find out how to protect yourself and whether you qualify to file a claim.
What Happened?
According to documents filed with the California Attorney General, California International Bank, N.A. discovered on September 12, 2024 that an unauthorized party had breached an employee’s email account. An internal forensic review determined the intruder had access to the mailbox for roughly 24 hours—from September 11 to September 12, 2024—yet that short window was enough to expose a trove of sensitive consumer data.
After confirming the intrusion, Cali Bank hired cybersecurity specialists, secured the affected account, and began a painstaking review of every file and email the hacker could have opened.
Data Potentially Exposed
While the exact information varies by individual, the investigation revealed that some or all of the following may have been compromised:
- Name and contact details
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Financial account and payment card numbers
- Passport number
- Driver’s license, state ID, or other government ID
- Tax identification number
- Genetic or biometric identifiers
- License plate recognition data and geolocation information
When Were Victims Notified?
Cali Bank began mailing physical breach notification letters on September 19, 2025. The bank is also providing free credit monitoring services to affected California residents.
Your Legal Rights & Next Steps
Financial institutions are required under both federal and state laws to safeguard customer information. If negligence played any role in this breach, impacted consumers may be entitled to:
- Reimbursement for fraud losses and out-of-pocket expenses
- Free credit monitoring and identity-theft protection beyond the initial offer
- Statutory damages under state privacy laws
- Injunctive relief forcing stronger security measures
By joining a consolidated lawsuit or arbitration, you can often obtain these remedies at no upfront cost. Experienced data-privacy attorneys typically work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if a recovery is made.
How to Protect Yourself Right Now
- Activate the complimentary credit-monitoring service provided in the notification letter.
- Place a fraud alert or security freeze with the major credit bureaus.
- Closely review bank, credit-card and insurance statements for unauthorized activity.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all financial accounts.
- File your taxes early to thwart fraudulent tax-refund claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at California International Bank?
An unauthorized actor accessed an employee email account between Sept. 11–12, 2024, exposing sensitive customer and employee data.
Is my Social Security number definitely involved?
Not necessarily. Cali Bank says the type of information impacted varies. Review your breach letter to see which data elements tied to you were exposed.
Does Cali Bank offer free credit monitoring?
Yes. The bank is providing complimentary credit-monitoring and identity-theft protection services to all individuals whose data was affected.
Can I file a California International Bank data breach lawsuit?
If you received a notification letter, you may qualify to participate in a lawsuit or settlement negotiations seeking monetary and injunctive relief. Consult a data-privacy attorney to discuss your options.
What should I do if I notice fraudulent activity?
Immediately report any suspicious charges to your bank, file a police report if necessary, and contact the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov to create a recovery plan.
Stay proactive: The sooner you act, the better your chances of limiting financial and reputational harm.