What You Need to Know About the TouchPay (Telmate) 2020 Data Breach
If you've used TouchPay or Telmate to send money, make payments, or access services for someone in custody, the vendor reported a data breach in August 2020 that may have exposed your personal information. Here's what happened, what data was involved, and where to find the official notice.
In August 2020, unknown attackers accessed Telmate (TouchPay) systems and exposed the personal information of thousands of users. This wasn't a small incident - it affected a large number of people who had data stored with the vendor.
Note: The exact information exposed varied from person to person. Some users had certain types of data involved; others did not.
The breach involved a wide range of personal information: names, contact details, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, and Social Security numbers. Payment card and financial account information was also exposed. The vendor's notice mentions personal messages and grievance forms as well.
Note: Not everyone had all these data types exposed. The vendor listed many categories, but what was included varied by individual.
If you used TouchPay or Telmate services, your stored information may have been exposed. That could mean everyday details like your name and contact info - or more sensitive data like Social Security numbers, driver's license or passport numbers, and payment information. The breach also included content like personal messages and grievance forms, which can feel especially invasive if you were communicating about a loved one's situation.
Note: Exposure varied by person. Your account may not have included every category of information listed in the notice.
For the vendor's official breach details and guidance, see their PDF notice at https://www.viapath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Telmate-Data-Breach-Information.pdf.
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