Got a data breach letter from Michael J. Berger and Co.?
Dapeer Law, P.A. is investigating a potential class action against Michael J. Berger and Co., a New York accounting firm, on behalf of individuals whose personal information may have been involved in a September 2025 data event that the firm reported to state Attorneys General in October 2026.
Latest on the Michael J. Berger and Co. data breach
- : Dapeer Law opened its investigation following notice filings posted by the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont Attorneys General.
Who qualifies for the Michael J. Berger and Co. data breach investigation
You may be eligible to participate in a class action if any of the following applies:
- You received a data breach notification letter from Michael J. Berger and Co..
- Your letter offered enrollment in complimentary Haystack credit monitoring and identity protection services. The New Hampshire sample letter offers 12 months, and the Massachusetts sample letter offers 24 months.
- You had personal information held by Michael J. Berger and Co.. The New Hampshire filing describes the firm as an accounting firm located in New York.
- 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 in the Michael J. Berger and Co. data breach
According to the notice filed with the New Hampshire Attorney General, Michael J. Berger and Co., an accounting firm located in New York, received alerts on September 19, 2025 of a disruption to its computer network as a result of a ransomware event. The firm's investigation concluded that its network was accessed by an unauthorized actor on September 17, 2025. The firm engaged a third-party vendor to review the dataset involved, and the vendor provided its results on May 13, 2026. After a supplemental review, the firm confirmed on July 21, 2026 that certain files in the data set taken from its network contained personal information.
The New Hampshire filing says the firm notified New Hampshire residents by First Class U.S. mail on October 20, 2026, more than 13 months after the disruption was detected. That filing states that the data varied by individual, but may have included names, Social Security numbers and financial account information. The Massachusetts filing lists financial account information and Social Security numbers. The Vermont Attorney General's table lists Social Security Numbers, Financial Account Codes and Credit and Debit Account Info. The posted sample letters leave the list of information involved blank, so your own letter should show what was involved for you.
The firm is offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services through Haystack. The New Hampshire sample letter and filing offer 12 months, and the Massachusetts sample letter offers 24 months. The New Hampshire filing says the offer is for individuals whose Social Security numbers are involved. State filings report 4 New Hampshire residents, 8 Massachusetts residents and 5 Vermonters, and the sample letter states that 1 Rhode Island resident's data was impacted. Whether the firm's security practices met legal standards, and whether the time taken to notify individuals caused additional harm, are among the issues being evaluated.
What to do if you got a Michael J. Berger and Co. data breach letter
Keep your notice letter
Do not discard it. Your letter is where the activation code for the Haystack credit monitoring is printed, and it is important evidence if you decide to participate in a lawsuit.
Enroll in the free Haystack credit monitoring
The sample letters direct enrollment at www.equifax.com/activate within ninety (90) days from the date of the letter. The New Hampshire filing says the offer is for individuals whose Social Security numbers are involved. Accepting this benefit does not waive your right to pursue legal action.
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.
Speak with a data breach attorney
Consultations with Dapeer Law are free and confidential. We'll review your notice, explain your options, and advise whether you may be eligible to join a class action.
Submit your notice for a free review
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Michael J. Berger and Co. 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, 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 accounting firm to implement stronger data security practices going forward.
Compensation categories depend on applicable state law, the types of data exposed, and documented losses. No recovery is guaranteed.
Michael J. Berger and Co. data breach FAQ
I received a data breach letter from Michael J. Berger and Co. What should I do? +
Keep the letter. Enroll in the free Haystack credit monitoring within 90 days from the date of your letter, using the activation code it contains. Review your account statements and credit reports, consider a fraud alert or credit freeze, and contact a data breach attorney for a free consultation. Accepting credit monitoring does not waive your right to pursue a claim.
Is the Michael J. Berger and Co. data breach letter real or a scam? +
Michael J. Berger and Co. has reported this incident to the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont Attorneys General. Compare your letter to the official filing linked in Sources below, and use only the enrollment website and phone number printed in your letter. Be cautious of unexpected calls, texts or emails about the breach that ask for your Social Security number or account login. If you are unsure, send your letter to Dapeer Law for a free review.
Am I eligible to join a class action against Michael J. Berger and Co.? +
If you received a breach notice from Michael J. Berger and Co. about this incident, you are likely eligible for a free case evaluation. Eligibility depends on your state of residence, the categories of your data that were involved, and any losses you have suffered. Dapeer Law will 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? +
The New Hampshire filing states that the data varied by individual, but may have included names, Social Security numbers and financial account information. The Massachusetts filing lists financial account information and Social Security numbers. The Vermont Attorney General's table lists Social Security Numbers, Financial Account Codes and Credit and Debit Account Info. The posted sample letters leave the list of information blank, so check your own letter for the categories involved for you.
Did Michael J. Berger and Co. offer free credit monitoring? +
Yes. The firm is offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services through Haystack. The New Hampshire sample letter and filing describe 12 months of single bureau credit monitoring, fraud consultation and identity theft restoration services for individuals whose Social Security numbers are involved. The Massachusetts sample letter describes 24 months of alerts. The sample letters say you must enroll within ninety (90) days from the date of the letter. Enrollment does not waive your right to pursue a claim.
How many people were affected by the Michael J. Berger and Co. breach? +
The firm has not disclosed a total number of affected individuals. State filings report 4 New Hampshire residents, 8 Massachusetts residents and 5 Vermonters, and the sample letter states that 1 Rhode Island resident's data was impacted. These are partial, state-level counts. This page will be updated as more 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 notice filed with the New Hampshire Attorney General is linked in Sources below, and it includes a sample copy of the individual letter. A sample letter was also filed with the Massachusetts Attorney General. The Vermont Attorney General lists the report in its Security Breach Notices table. If you received a letter but no longer have it, Dapeer Law can assist you in obtaining a copy during your free consultation.
Sources & references
- Official breach notice filing · New Hampshire Attorney General, Michael J. Berger and Co., CPA LLP Notice of Data Privacy Event
- Secondary regulator report · Massachusetts Attorney General, breach notice filing (Michael J. Berger and Co., CPA LLP, reported Oct 21, 2026)
- Secondary regulator report · Vermont Attorney General, Security Breach Notices (Michael J. Berger and Co., CPA LLP, reported Oct 21, 2026)
- 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.
