Linn-Benton Lincoln ESD, Carruth Consulting Report Data Breach

Linn-Benton Lincoln ESD and Carruth Compliance Consulting have filed notice of a data security incident in Maryland. The breach exposed sensitive personal and financial data, potentially affecting individuals who relied on these organizations for educational and administrative support services. This event underscores the importance of robust data protection in public sector and compliance services.

State: Maryland
Reported: February 28, 2025

What may have been exposed

Full Name
Social Security Number
Date of Birth
Home Address
Employee Identification Number
Benefit and Retirement Account Details
Tax and Financial Compliance Records
Direct Deposit Information

Linn-Benton Lincoln Education Service District (ESD) and Carruth Compliance Consulting have officially reported a data security incident to the Maryland Attorney General. The filing, dated February 28, 2025, indicates a compromise of sensitive information managed by these entities, which provide support services, benefit management, and compliance oversight to educational institutions.

The exposed data categories include Full Name, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Home Address, Employee Identification Number, Benefit and Retirement Account Details, Tax and Financial Compliance Records, and Direct Deposit Information. These entities routinely collect such extensive personal identifiers and financial data due to their roles in managing employee benefits, retirement plans, and payroll-adjacent compliance.

Such exposure carries significant risks for affected individuals. The availability of these data types, especially immutable identifiers like Social Security Numbers and Dates of Birth, can enable various forms of identity theft and financial fraud. Individuals may face risks such as unauthorized account access, fraudulent credit applications, or tax-related scams.

Individuals who receive notification letters from Linn-Benton Lincoln ESD or Carruth Compliance Consulting should carefully review the contents for specific details regarding the incident. It is generally advised to monitor credit reports and financial statements for any unusual activity. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with credit bureaus as a proactive measure. Be cautious of unsolicited communications requesting personal information, as these could be phishing attempts.

What to do if you were affected

Based on the categories of information reported in this filing, these steps can help limit the risk of identity theft and fraud.

Freeze your credit
Place a free credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A freeze blocks new accounts from being opened in your name and can be lifted anytime.
Guard against tax fraud
File your tax return as early as possible and consider requesting an IRS Identity Protection PIN so no one can file a fraudulent return in your name.
Watch your financial accounts
Review bank and card statements for unfamiliar activity and turn on transaction alerts. Report anything you don't recognize to your bank right away.
Stay alert to targeted scams
Be cautious of calls, texts, or emails that reference this breach. Legitimate organizations won't ask you to confirm sensitive details through an unsolicited message.
Keep your notification letter
Save the notice you received. It documents that your information was involved and is often needed to enroll in any credit monitoring offered or to join a related legal claim.

Source: Maryland Attorney General filing

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