Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Data Breach Lawsuit Investigation
On December 30, 2025, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum began mailing letters to individuals whose personal information was copied during a two-day cyber-intrusion in August 2024. If you received this notice, you may be entitled to no-cost credit monitoring and potentially financial compensation. Use the information below to understand your rights and next steps.
Download Official Breach Notice (PDF)Key Facts About the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Breach
- Breach window: August 8 – August 9, 2024
- Discovered: August 9, 2024
- Consumer notices mailed: December 30, 2025
- Regulatory filing: Maine Attorney General, January 5, 2026
- Type of incident: Unauthorized network intrusion and data exfiltration
- Data involved: Name and additional information referenced in the letter as “Variable Data 3”
- Identity-protection offered: Complimentary credit-monitoring and identity-protection services through IDX
How the Breach Happened
According to the notice filed with the Maine Attorney General, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Inc. (Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum) detected suspicious activity in its information-technology environment on August 9, 2024. An internal investigation confirmed that an unauthorized actor accessed certain museum systems between August 8 and August 9, 2024, copying files that contained personal information.
Information Exposed
The review of the impacted files determined that each affected individual’s name and other information labeled as “Variable Data 3” were present. The letter does not elaborate on the exact nature of “Variable Data 3.” The museum states it has no indication of fraudulent misuse to date, but urges recipients to remain vigilant.
Actions Taken by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
- Isolated and secured affected systems immediately after discovery.
- Engaged third-party experts to conduct an in-depth investigation.
- Implemented additional security measures to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
- Offered complimentary credit-monitoring and identity-protection services through IDX.
- Reported the incident to relevant state regulators, including the Maine Attorney General.
What You Can Do Now
- Enroll in the free IDX credit-monitoring service before the deadline listed in your letter.
- Review recent account statements and credit reports for unauthorized activity.
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the nationwide credit bureaus if you notice suspicious activity.
- Keep all breach-related correspondence; it may be needed for future legal claims.
- Contact a qualified data-breach attorney to discuss potential compensation.
Potential Legal Claims
Data-breach laws provide affected consumers with rights to seek monetary relief when organizations fail to protect personal information. Attorneys are now investigating whether Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum employed reasonable cybersecurity safeguards in line with industry standards. Filing a claim does not cost anything up-front; most cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis.
Company Overview
- Website: cbmm.org
- Headquarters: 213 North Talbot Street, St. Michaels, Maryland, United States
- Founded: 1965
- Industry: Museum
- Contact page: cbmm.org/contact
- Social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
I received a data-breach letter from Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum — what should I do?
Follow the enrollment instructions for the free IDX credit-monitoring service, monitor your financial accounts, and consider speaking with a data-breach attorney to learn about your rights.
How do I submit a claim related to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum data breach?
Contact a consumer-protection or data-privacy law firm. Most firms offer free consultations and accept cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.
Am I eligible to join a lawsuit against Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum?
If you received the December 30, 2025 notice, you are likely within the affected class. Eligibility ultimately depends on the lawsuit’s class definition and court approval.
What information did the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum breach expose?
The museum reports that names and unspecified personal data referred to as “Variable Data 3” were copied from its systems.
Did Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum offer credit monitoring?
Yes. The museum is offering complimentary credit-monitoring and identity-protection services through IDX. Enrollment details are included in the mailed letter.
How can I get the official breach notice PDF for Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum?
You can download the filing directly from the Maine Attorney General website using the link provided above or by clicking the “Download Official Breach Notice (PDF)” button.
