[UCRDBR] Experian Dark Web Alerts Related to the 2021 Accellion Data Breach

[Departmental Benefits Representatives]

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November 3, 2026
To:
Department Benefits Representatives (DBRs)
From:
Central HR Benefits Office on behalf of UC Office of the President
Re:
Experian Dark Web Alerts Related to the 2021 Accellion Data Breach



DBRs, please share this information via your internal listserv.  Please do not reply to this email.  Please send a separate email with questions to benefits at ucr.edu<mailto:benefits at ucr.edu>.



UC Office of the President wishes to make members aware of upcoming Experian Dark Web alerts that may generate questions from participants enrolled in the University of California's Experian Identity Protection program.
Experian will issue Dark Web alerts related to the previously disclosed 2021 University of California (UC) Accellion data breach. During Experian's large-breach vetting process, data associated with the Accellion breach was identified for inclusion in its alerting database. As part of this process, the breached site must be included in CyberAgent alerts. As a result, related notifications will identify "universityofcalifornia.edu<http://universityofcalifornia.edu/>" as the associated breached site.
Experian has advised:

  *   Experian believes the recent appearance of this data is unusual and may be the result of a cybercriminal releasing previously accumulated breach data.
  *   The data includes a significant number of Social Security numbers, which remain valuable to cybercriminals because they generally cannot be changed.
  *   Because this data is now available on the dark web, the risk of misuse has increased.
  *   Individuals receiving these alerts were previously notified of the breach and have likely already taken protective measures.
  *   Experian expects alerts will be issued Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and continue through the week of November 9, 2026.
UCOP is sharing this information to make members aware of the situation and for HR representatives to respond to questions should participants reach out after receiving an Experian alert.
As a reference, below is the Accellion Data Breach communication shared on April 7, 2021 that includes a link to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

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April 7, 2021

To:
Department Benefits Representatives (DBRs)
From:
HR Benefits Office
Re:
FAQs Regarding Accellion Data Breach

As previously reported <https://hr.ucr.edu/sites/g/files/rcwecm656/files/2021-04/update-uc-community-accellion-cyber-attack-what-people-should-do-to-protect-themselves.pdf> , UC has been impacted by the nationwide cyber-attack on Accellion,
which includes the theft of sensitive university files and confidential personal information of
some UC community members.

Earlier this week, UC sent a communication <https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2021/04/update-on-accellion-breach-and-what-you-should-do.html> to the UC community (including retirees) emphasizing
the seriousness of the attack, outlining the nature of UC information that was stolen, and
encouraging all UC community members to take action to protect their information and identity, and instructions on how to sign up for complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection.

UCOP has published answers to frequently asked questions <https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/> about the Accellion data breach and
how to protect your information. Please take a few minutes to read the information and share it
with your teams.

Thank you for your continued assistance in sharing these communications and stressing that
the attack on Accellion and its impact on UC is real and serious.

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