Premier Auto Credit Hit by Ransomware Attack, Exposing Sensitive Customer Data Premier Auto Credit, a California-based financial services company specializing in alternative auto financing, suffered a ransomware attack between January 11 and 15, 2025, resulting in the exposure of sensitive customer data. The breach was carried out by the cybercriminal group Cloak, which later published 156 GB of stolen data on the dark web. The compromised information includes full names and Social Security numbers, affecting individuals across multiple states, including at least three residents in Massachusetts. Premier Auto Credit detected the incident after noticing unusual network activity and launched a forensic investigation. The company disclosed the breach to the California and Massachusetts Attorneys General on December 23, 2025. The law firm Shamis & Gentile P.A. is investigating the incident on behalf of affected individuals, who may be eligible for compensation. Premier Auto Credit has offered free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services through Cyberscout to impacted customers. The breach underscores the ongoing risks of ransomware attacks targeting financial services providers.