Insurance provider Globe Life has revealed that a data breach from June 2024 was far more extensive than initially believed. While early reports in October 2024 suggested that around 5,000 customers were impacted, the company’s latest investigation indicates that approximately 850,000 policyholders may have had their personal data compromised. 

The breach was initially detected in a subsidiary, American Income Life Insurance Company. At the time, Globe Life reported a limited impact but acknowledged the possibility of more affected individuals. 

Further findings now confirm that an unidentified cybercriminal gained access to databases maintained by independent agency owners, exposing a wide range of sensitive customer information. Stolen data includes full names, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, birth dates, health records, and insurance policy details. 

In response, Globe Life took immediate action to secure its systems, restricting external access to the compromised portal. According to its SEC filing, the company was targeted by an extortion attempt but chose not to meet the ransom demands. The insurer maintains that its primary IT infrastructure and data encryption systems remained intact despite the breach. 

As a precaution, Globe Life is offering credit monitoring services to potentially affected customers. However, cybersecurity experts recommend that policyholders take extra steps to protect themselves, including signing up for identity theft protection, keeping a close watch on financial statements, and being alert to phishing attempts. Cybercriminals frequently use stolen data to create deceptive emails and messages aimed at obtaining further personal or financial information. 

Customers are advised to be cautious when receiving unexpected communications via email, text, or social media. Any unsolicited messages containing links or attachments should be avoided. Installing reliable antivirus software on personal devices can also help protect against malware that may be embedded in phishing attempts. 

Despite the scale of the breach, Globe Life has stated that it does not expect any disruptions to its business operations. However, customers should update their passwords and remain vigilant against potential fraud in the coming months.