The Institute of Culinary Education Data Breach Lawsuit Investigation

On May 5, 2025, The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) experienced a cybersecurity incident in which an unauthorized actor copied files from certain school systems. The incident was disclosed to the Vermont Attorney General on October 6, 2025. If you received a letter about this breach, you may be entitled to free identity-protection services and potential compensation. Contact our data-breach team for a no-cost case review today.

Key Takeaways

• Breach Date: May 5, 2025
• Disclosed: October 6, 2025 to Vermont’s Attorney General
• Individuals Affected: 616 (432 Texas residents; 184 Massachusetts residents; ICE also notified Maine residents but did not disclose their count)
• Type of Attack: Unauthorized access and copying of files
• Data Involved: For Texas residents – names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and other government-issued ID numbers; for Massachusetts residents – names, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers; for Maine residents – names only
• Free Services Offered: Credit monitoring and identity-theft protection through Epiq

What Happened

ICE detected suspicious activity within its network and immediately opened an investigation to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The forensic inquiry confirmed that an unauthorized party gained access to certain systems and duplicated files on or around May 5, 2025. A subsequent review of the data determined that personal information connected to specific individuals—including at least names—was present in the compromised files. ICE completed a reconciliation process to confirm addresses before mailing notice letters.

What Information Was Exposed?

For Texas residents, the breached files contained names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and other government-issued identification numbers such as passport or state ID card details. In total, 432 Texas individuals were notified. For Massachusetts residents, ICE reports that the compromised files contained names, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers; 184 Massachusetts individuals were notified. For Maine residents, ICE advises that only names were present in the affected files and has not specified how many Maine residents were impacted.

ICE’s Response

According to the breach notice, ICE:

• Launched an immediate investigation and secured its environment.
• Implemented additional cybersecurity safeguards.
• Is offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity-theft protection services through Epiq (enrollment deadline specified in individual letters).

Actions You Can Take Now

1. Carefully review your breach notification letter for enrollment instructions and deadlines.
2. Sign up for the free credit monitoring service as soon as possible.
3. Monitor bank, credit-card, and insurance statements for unfamiliar charges or changes.
4. Request free credit reports at annualcreditreport.com and look for new accounts you did not open.
5. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus if you detect suspicious activity.

Potential Legal Rights & Remedies

Under consumer-protection and data-privacy laws, individuals impacted by a data breach may seek:

• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses related to identity theft.
• Compensation for time spent addressing fraud or securing accounts.
• Statutory damages where permitted by state law.
• Injunctive relief requiring the organization to strengthen data security.

If you experienced unauthorized charges, tax-refund fraud, or other losses following the ICE breach, preserve all evidence (emails, bank statements, police reports) and speak with a data-breach attorney about your options.

Company Overview

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) is a private, for-profit culinary school offering career training, recreational cooking classes, and professional development programs.

• Website: ice.edu
• Headquarters: 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY, USA
• Founded: 1975
• Industry: Education (Culinary Arts)
• Social: LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram

Frequently Asked Questions

How did The Institute of Culinary Education discover the breach?

The school noticed suspicious activity in its systems and initiated an investigation that confirmed unauthorized file copying on May 5, 2025.

What personal data did The Institute of Culinary Education breach expose?

The breach exposed names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and other government-issued ID numbers for Texas residents. For Massachusetts residents, names, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers were involved. For Maine residents, ICE reports that only names were involved.

Is ICE offering free credit monitoring?

Yes. The Institute is providing complimentary credit monitoring and identity-theft protection through Epiq. Enrollment details are in the mailed letters.

I never attended ICE, why did I get a letter?

The files copied may include prospective students, alumni, employees, or others who interacted with ICE. Review the letter and follow the recommended steps even if you did not enroll.

Can I join a lawsuit against The Institute of Culinary Education?

Possibly. Affected individuals may have legal claims for damages. Contact a qualified data-breach attorney to discuss your specific situation.