City of Boston Data Breach Lawsuit Investigation
Received an August 2026 breach notice from City of Boston?
Dapeer Law, P.A. is investigating a potential class action against the City of Boston, the municipal government of Massachusetts' capital city, on behalf of the 206 Massachusetts residents whose driver's license numbers were accessed without authorization by a City employee using the City's connection to the Registry of Motor Vehicles data system.
Who may qualify
You may be eligible to participate in a class action if any of the following applies:
- You received a data breach notification letter from City of Boston dated August 2026.
- The City of Boston did not offer complimentary credit monitoring in its breach notice, but the Massachusetts RMV is offering a free replacement license or ID card with a new state-assigned number.
- You are one of the 206 Massachusetts residents whose driver's license number was held in the Registry of Motor Vehicles data system that a City of Boston employee accessed without authorization.
- No proof of harm required to consult with counsel. You do not need to have already suffered identity theft to explore your legal options.
- Excluded: individuals who did not receive a breach notice and whose information was not involved in the incident.
Not sure if you qualify?
Send us your notice, we'll confirm your eligibility at no cost.
What happened
The City of Boston reported to the Massachusetts Attorney General on August 17, 2026 that one of its employees had obtained unauthorized access to Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) records. According to the filing, the employee used the City of Boston's authorized access to the RMV data system to view customer information without permission. The filing does not disclose when the unauthorized access began, when it ended, or when the City discovered it.
The City reported that 206 Massachusetts residents were affected and identified driver's license numbers as the category of personal information involved. No other data types were listed in the official notice. The City began mailing written notices to affected residents in August 2026 and stated that it has "implemented updated protocols to protect against a breach of this nature." No complimentary credit monitoring or identity theft protection services were mentioned in the notice.
A driver's license number is a persistent government identifier that can be reused for years, and it is frequently used to open accounts, obtain fraudulent identification documents, and commit synthetic identity fraud. The consumer notice tells affected residents that they may email RMV93H@dot.state.ma.us to receive a replacement license or ID card with a new state-assigned (SA) number at no cost, that they may file and obtain copies of police reports relating to identity theft, and that Massachusetts and federal law allow them to place, lift, or remove a credit security freeze free of charge.
What to do if you received a letter
Keep your notice letter
Keep your breach notice letter. It documents when the City of Boston notified you and is important evidence if you decide to participate in a lawsuit.
Request a free replacement license and place a security freeze
Email RMV93H@dot.state.ma.us with your name and contact information to receive a replacement license or ID card with a new state-assigned (SA) number at no cost. You can also place a free security freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, and order free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. The City of Boston did not offer complimentary credit monitoring, so these steps are the protections currently available to you.
Place a fraud alert or credit freeze
Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to place a fraud alert or freeze on your file. Request a free weekly credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com, and use the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov recovery guide. For a driver's license breach, also watch for traffic citations, vehicle registrations, state benefit claims, or job applications submitted in your name that you do not recognize.
Speak with a data breach attorney
Consultations with Dapeer Law are free and confidential. We will review your notice, explain your legal options, and advise whether you may be eligible to join a class action against the City of Boston.
Submit your notice for a free review
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Breach timeline
Compensation you may be entitled to
Out-of-pocket expenses
Credit freezes, identity restoration services, and other costs incurred responding to the breach.
Time spent monitoring
Hours spent reviewing accounts, disputing fraudulent charges, and dealing with identity theft issues.
Identity theft & fraud losses
Unreimbursed funds stolen from accounts, unauthorized credit lines, costs tied to fraudulent licenses or identification documents, or tax refund fraud tied to the breach.
Statutory damages
Certain state data breach and consumer protection statutes provide for fixed damages regardless of actual loss.
Injunctive relief
Court orders requiring the City of Boston to implement stronger access controls, auditing, and monitoring over its connection to the Registry of Motor Vehicles data system so municipal employees cannot view resident records without a legitimate business reason.
Compensation categories depend on applicable state law, the types of data exposed, and documented losses. No recovery is guaranteed.
Common questions
I received a data breach letter from City of Boston. What should I do? +
Keep the letter as documentation. Email RMV93H@dot.state.ma.us with your name and contact information to request a free replacement license or ID card with a new state-assigned number. Place a free security freeze or fraud alert with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, and order free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. If you find signs of identity theft, file a police report and request a copy. Then contact Dapeer Law for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Am I eligible to join a class action against City of Boston? +
You may be eligible if you received a breach notice from the City of Boston, or if your driver's license information was held in the Registry of Motor Vehicles data system that a City employee accessed without authorization. Eligibility can depend on your state of residence, the categories of data involved, and whether you have experienced identity theft or documented out-of-pocket losses. Our attorneys can review your notice at no cost.
How much money could I receive from a class action lawsuit? +
Data breach class action recoveries vary significantly. Settlements typically range from a few hundred dollars for basic out-of-pocket losses to several thousand dollars for documented identity theft, with class size, damages, and negotiation all affecting the final amount. No payout is guaranteed, and this investigation has not yet resulted in a settlement.
What personal information was exposed in the breach? +
According to the notice filed with the Massachusetts Attorney General, the unauthorized access involved driver's license numbers belonging to 206 Massachusetts residents. No additional data types were listed in the official notice. Review your individual letter for specifics about your own information.
Did City of Boston offer free credit monitoring? +
No. The City of Boston did not reference any complimentary credit monitoring or identity theft protection services in its notice. Affected residents were instead directed to request a free replacement license or ID card with a new state-assigned number through the RMV, to consider a credit security freeze, and to file police reports if identity theft occurs. Massachusetts and federal law allow you to add, lift, or remove a credit freeze at no charge.
How many people were affected by the City of Boston breach? +
The City of Boston reported that 206 Massachusetts residents were impacted. This page will be updated if additional information becomes available.
Is there a deadline to take legal action? +
Yes. Statutes of limitations for data breach claims vary by state and legal theory, typically ranging from one to six years. Waiting can permanently bar your claim. Contact us as soon as possible for a free evaluation.
How do I get a copy of the official breach notice? +
The official breach notification is publicly available from the Massachusetts Attorney General's data breach reporting portal and can be downloaded directly. Dapeer Law can also help you locate and review your notice during a free consultation.
Sources & references
- Official breach notice filing · Massachusetts Attorney General, City of Boston Breach Notice (PDF)
- Background · Wikipedia, City of Boston
- Company · City of Boston (boston.gov)
- Credit bureau freezes · Equifax · Experian · TransUnion
- Free weekly credit reports · AnnualCreditReport.com
- Identity theft recovery guide · FTC IdentityTheft.gov
Don't let the deadline decide for you. Submit your claim today.
You only have a limited window to act. Our team will review your notice, explain your options, and tell you whether you may be eligible to recover compensation, at no cost to you.
