Cardinal Services, Inc., Cardinal Employer Organization, and Preferred Employer Solutions, collectively known as Cardinal, operate as critical administrative entities for numerous businesses. In their role as PEOs and HR outsourcing providers, Cardinal manages vital functions such as payroll processing, employee benefits, and tax filings, requiring them to collect and store extensive amounts of confidential employee data.
In 2026, Cardinal officially disclosed a data security incident to the Maine Attorney General, confirming that unauthorized parties had gained access to their network. Breaches involving human resources and payroll companies often result from sophisticated cyberattacks, leading to the exfiltration of sensitive corporate and employee data over time.
The compromised data from the Cardinal breach includes highly sensitive personal information. Exposed categories consist of Full Name, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Wage and Compensation Information, Tax Return Information, Direct Deposit Account Details, Home Address, and Employee ID Number. The exposure of these details can lead to identity theft, fraudulent tax filings, and unauthorized access to financial accounts.
As a professional employer organization handling such sensitive information, Cardinal had clear legal obligations to implement robust security measures. These include continuous network monitoring, multi-factor authentication, and regular vulnerability assessments. The occurrence of this data breach suggests that Cardinal may not have maintained the necessary protocols to protect the confidential records entrusted to its care.
If you received a data breach notification letter from Cardinal, it signifies that your personal information was compromised. Receiving this letter provides the basis for considering legal action to hold Cardinal accountable for potential security failures. You do not need to prove financial loss or identity theft to explore a class action; the increased risk and distress caused by the exposure of your data can be sufficient grounds. We offer a free case review on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs to you.