Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium Data Breach Lawsuit Investigation
Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium (“GMHEC”) disclosed that unauthorized parties accessed two employee email accounts, exposing personal data of students, staff, and other stakeholders. Individuals notified of the breach may qualify for no-cost legal help and financial compensation—contact our team for a free case review.
Key Dates in the GMHEC Email Breach
- October 30, 2024: Unauthorized access to two GMHEC employee email accounts begins.
- November 19, 2024: Suspicious activity detected; GMHEC secures its email environment and starts an investigation.
- November 20, 2024: End of unauthorized activity window.
- October 28, 2025: Breach formally reported to the Maine Attorney General.
What Information Was Exposed?
The digital forensics review revealed that the following data elements were present in the compromised email accounts:
- First and last name
- Social Security number (Massachusetts residents)
- Additional personal information (specified within individual notice letters)
GMHEC’s Response Actions
Immediately after detecting the incident, GMHEC:
- Secured its email environment and blocked unauthorized access.
- Engaged external cyber-incident response professionals to investigate.
- Began a comprehensive review of security policies and implemented additional safeguards.
- Offered complimentary Single-Bureau Credit Monitoring, Credit Report, Credit Score, and fraud-assistance services through Cyberscout (a TransUnion company).
Protecting Yourself After the Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium Breach
GMHEC recommends that affected individuals:
- Remain vigilant by reviewing bank, credit-card, and insurance statements for unauthorized activity.
- Obtain and monitor credit reports for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries.
- Promptly report any suspected fraud to financial institutions and law-enforcement agencies.
- Take advantage of the free credit-monitoring and fraud-assistance services provided in the notice letter.
Company Overview
Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium (GMHEC) is a Vermont-based coalition that provides shared services and collaborative solutions to member colleges.
- Website: gmhec.org
- Headquarters: 120 Graham Way, Suite 120, Shelburne, Vermont, United States
- Founded: 2013
- Industry: Higher Education
- Employees: 27
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium data breach?
Two GMHEC employee email accounts were accessed by an unauthorized actor between October 30 and November 20, 2024. The accounts contained personal information which may have been viewed or acquired.
How do I know if my data was affected by GMHEC’s breach?
GMHEC mailed written notice letters to individuals whose information appeared in the compromised accounts. If you received a letter dated October 28, 2025 or later, you are considered impacted.
What personal information was exposed?
The investigation confirmed that names, Social Security numbers (for Massachusetts residents), and additional personal data elements (listed in individual notices) were present in the accessed emails.
Is GMHEC offering free credit monitoring?
Yes. GMHEC is providing complimentary Single-Bureau Credit Monitoring, Credit Report, and Credit Score services, along with fraud-assistance support through Cyberscout.
Can I file a Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium data breach lawsuit?
Potentially. U.S. privacy laws allow victims of data breaches to seek damages for identity-theft risks and out-of-pocket losses. Speak with a qualified data-breach attorney to discuss your legal rights.
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