What personal information was exposed in the EP Wealth Advisors data breach?

The breach exposed names, addresses, email addresses, dates of birth, tax identification numbers such as Social Security numbers, and financial account numbers. Information about clients' family members was also affected. This combination of data creates a meaningful risk of identity theft and financial fraud for those impacted.

How do I know if I was affected by the EP Wealth Advisors breach?

EP Wealth Advisors began notifying affected individuals by mail starting March 5, 2026. If you received a notification letter, your information was likely involved. If you are unsure, you can contact EP Wealth directly at 833-931-7669 for confirmation.

Can I file a lawsuit or claim compensation over this data breach?

Individuals affected by a data breach may have grounds to pursue compensation, especially when sensitive data like Social Security numbers and financial account details are exposed. Eligibility depends on factors like where you live and what harm you can show. Speaking with a data breach attorney for a free case evaluation can help clarify your options.

Is there a deadline for filing a claim related to this breach?

Deadlines for filing claims or lawsuits vary by state and depend on the specific legal theory involved. Because these statutes of limitations can be short, it's best to consult a data breach attorney promptly to avoid missing any filing window. Acting sooner rather than later helps preserve your legal options.

What steps should I take right now to protect myself after this breach?

Start by placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, since Social Security numbers were exposed. Also monitor your financial accounts and credit reports regularly for unfamiliar activity. Finally, stay alert for phishing emails or calls that reference this breach and avoid sharing personal details with unverified contacts.

What should I do if I was affected by a data breach?

If you were affected by a data breach, you should immediately monitor your financial accounts, place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), change passwords for affected accounts, and consult a data breach lawyer to understand your legal rights and potential compensation options. Act quickly — statutes of limitations apply.

Can I receive financial compensation after a data breach?

Yes. Victims of data breaches may be eligible for financial compensation through class action lawsuits or individual claims. Recoverable damages can include identity theft losses, out-of-pocket expenses, lost time, and compensation for the ongoing risk of future harm. A free consultation with a data breach attorney can help determine your eligibility.

How long do I have to file a data breach lawsuit?

Statutes of limitations for data breach claims vary by state, typically ranging from one to three years from the date you discovered — or reasonably should have discovered — the breach. In some states, the clock starts from the breach date itself. Contact a data breach lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your rights.

EP Wealth Advisors Data Breach: What to Know

Breach Discovery: 2nd February 2026Breach Notification: 5th March 2026

What Happened in the EP Wealth Advisors Data Breach?

EP Wealth Advisors, LLC, a financial planning and investment advisory firm, discovered a data breach on Feb. 2, 2026. The EP Wealth Advisors data breach exposed sensitive client information that the company had collected and stored. As a result, thousands of clients now face a heightened risk of identity theft and fraud.

According to the company’s breach notification, unauthorized access to its systems occurred around Feb. 2, 2026. However, the notice does not specify the exact method attackers used to gain entry. What is clear is that the intrusion allowed access to a broad range of personal and financial records tied to clients and their family members.

Following discovery of the breach, EP Wealth began an internal review to determine the scope of the incident. In addition, the firm worked to identify which individuals had their information compromised. Starting March 5, 2026, EP Wealth reported the breach to attorneys general in California, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. This multi-state notification suggests the breach affected clients across a wide geographic area.

Who was affected?

The breach affected 53,952 individuals in total. Because EP Wealth is a wealth management and financial planning firm, most affected individuals are likely current or former clients. However, the notice also states that information about clients’ family members was involved, which broadens the pool of people at risk.

State-level breakdowns show 2,313 Washington residents, 1,579 Texas residents, 1,367 Massachusetts residents, 277 New Hampshire residents, and 146 Indiana residents were affected. Additional individuals in California and Oregon were also notified, though specific counts for those states were not provided. Given the nature of wealth advisory services, affected individuals may include high-net-worth clients whose exposed financial details carry significant value to fraudsters.

What Information Was Potentially Exposed?

The data compromised in this breach spans several categories of sensitive personal and financial information. Because EP Wealth handles investment and financial planning for its clients, the exposed data is particularly valuable to identity thieves.

Full names
Home addresses
Email addresses
Dates of birth
Tax identification numbers, including Social Security numbers and Employer Identification Numbers
Financial account numbers
Other information EP Wealth collected about clients and their family members

This combination of data creates serious risks. For example, Social Security numbers paired with dates of birth and financial account numbers give criminals nearly everything needed to open new credit lines, file fraudulent tax returns, or drain existing accounts. As a result, affected individuals face an elevated risk of identity theft that could persist for years.

Furthermore, because family member information was also exposed, the risk extends beyond the primary account holder. Consequently, children and other relatives listed on financial accounts may also need to monitor their credit. Financial fraud stemming from this type of breach often appears months or even years after the initial incident, so ongoing vigilance is essential.

What is the company doing?

In response to the breach, EP Wealth notified affected individuals and relevant state regulators beginning March 5, 2026. The company’s notice included detailed instructions for obtaining free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It also explained how affected individuals can place fraud alerts or credit freezes on their credit files at no cost.

In addition, EP Wealth provided contact information for the Federal Trade Commission and various state attorneys general so affected individuals could seek further guidance. The firm also encouraged clients who suspect identity theft or fraud to file a police report. For personalized assistance, EP Wealth set up a dedicated phone line at 833-931-7669 so clients could ask questions about the breach and its impact.

What Should Affected Individuals Do?

Monitor Your Financial Accounts and Credit Reports

Affected individuals should closely review bank and investment account statements for unfamiliar transactions. Because financial account numbers were exposed, unauthorized withdrawals or transfers are a real possibility. Checking statements regularly can help catch fraud early.

In addition, individuals should request free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Reviewing these reports helps identify new accounts or credit inquiries that were not authorized. Doing this every few months over the next year is a reasonable precaution given the sensitivity of the exposed data.

Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze

Because Social Security numbers and tax identification numbers were exposed, placing a fraud alert or credit freeze is strongly recommended. A fraud alert requires creditors to verify identity before opening new accounts, while a credit freeze blocks access to credit files entirely. Both options are free to set up.

To place a freeze, individuals must contact each of the three credit bureaus separately. This process only takes a few minutes per bureau. Given the scope of data exposed in this breach, a credit freeze offers the strongest layer of protection against new-account fraud.

Watch for Phishing and Scam Attempts

Because email addresses were exposed alongside other personal details, affected individuals should be cautious of unexpected emails or calls claiming to be from EP Wealth or financial institutions. Scammers often use breached data to craft convincing phishing messages. Therefore, it is wise to verify any request for personal information through official channels before responding.

Individuals should never click links or provide sensitive details in response to unsolicited messages. Instead, they should contact EP Wealth directly using the phone number provided in the official notice. This simple step can prevent secondary fraud that builds on the original breach.

Consider Consulting a Data Breach Attorney

Given the scale of this breach and the sensitivity of the exposed data, affected individuals may want to explore their legal options. A data breach attorney can help evaluate whether compensation is available through a claims process or potential litigation. Many offer free consultations to review individual circumstances.

Because tax identification numbers and financial account data were involved, the potential for long-term harm is significant. As a result, consulting an attorney early can help affected individuals understand their rights and any applicable deadlines for taking action.