Protect Your Identity After the Cali Bank Data Breach: Credit Monitoring, Fraud Alerts & Security Freeze Guide
What Happened in the Cali Bank Data Breach
In September 2024, Cali Bank, headquartered in Westminster, California, experienced a data breach after an unauthorized individual gained access to an employee email account. The breach affected sensitive personal information, potentially exposing individuals to identity theft and financial fraud. Cali Bank reported the incident to the California Attorney General and began notifying affected individuals in September 2025.
What Information Was Exposed
The types of sensitive data that may have been accessed include:
Full name
Social Security number
Date of birth
Financial account information
Payment card details
Passport number and government-issued IDs
Driver’s license or state ID number
Tax identification number
Genetic or biometric data
Data from license plate recognition systems
Geolocation information
Knowing what was exposed is the first step toward protecting yourself.
How to Protect Your Identity
Enroll in Complimentary Experian IdentityWorks Credit Monitoring
Cali Bank is offering free access to Experian IdentityWorksSM, which includes:
Credit report at signup
Daily credit monitoring
Immediate identity restoration support
ExtendCARE™ after membership expires
$1 million identity theft insurance
How to enroll: Visit the Experian IdentityWorks website and enter the activation code from your breach notice. Act before the expiration date listed in your letter.
Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File
Fraud alerts require creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts. They last one year and are free. Contact any of the three major credit bureaus to place an alert:
Equifax | (888) 378-4329 | Equifax Fraud Alerts
Experian | (888) 397-3742 | Experian Fraud Center
TransUnion | (800) 916-8800 | TransUnion Fraud Alerts
Consider a Security Freeze
A security freeze prevents credit reporting agencies from sharing your credit file without your consent. Request a freeze with:
Equifax | Equifax Security Freeze
Experian | Experian Security Freeze
TransUnion | TransUnion Security Freeze
Obtain Your Free Annual Credit Report
Federal law allows one free report per year from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review your reports carefully for unauthorized accounts or inquiries.
When to Contact a Data Breach Attorney
You should consider contacting a data breach attorney if:
Your Social Security number, financial accounts, or government IDs were exposed
You experience identity theft or financial fraud as a result of the breach
You need help understanding your legal rights or pursuing compensation
You want guidance on notifying creditors, credit bureaus, or reporting to authorities
An experienced attorney can guide you through recovery, help mitigate financial damage, and advise on possible claims against the company responsible for the breach.