Strauss Borrelli PLLC, a leading data breach law firm, is investigating Balfour & Co. (“Balfour”) regarding its recent data breach. The Balfour data breach may have involved sensitive personal identifiable information belonging to an undetermined number of individuals.
ABOUT BALFOUR & CO.:
Balfour is a school commencement services company based in Florida. Founded in 1913, Balfour, formerly known as American Achievement Corporation and Iconic Group, provides personalized high school and collegiate commencement products such as class jewelry, apparel, yearbooks, graduation caps and gowns, announcement products, and photography through digital marketing technology, personal in-school deliveries, and customized school assortments.3 Additionally, Balfour also operates under GradImages, University Photo, Gaspard, ArtCarved, KeepSake, and Taylor Publishing Company.3 Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Balfour employs approximately 5,000 individuals.3
WHAT HAPPENED?
Recently, Balfour reported to the Attorney General of Vermont that it had experienced a data breach in which sensitive personal identifiable information in its care may have been compromised. According to the breach notice, on September 23, 2025, an administrator for Balfour erroneously sent a batch of W-2 forms pertaining to employees to a disguised and fraudulent external email address.1 As a result, Balfour launched an investigation to determine the nature of the incident.
Through its investigation, Balfour confirmed that the sensitive personal information in the employee W-2 forms may have been acquired by an unauthorized third party on September 23, 2025.1 As a result, Balfour began a review of the data to determine what information had been impacted as well as identify the specific individuals affected. While the information impacted varies depending on the individual, the type of information potentially exposed includes:
- Name
- Social Security number
- Address
- 2024 payroll and tax withholding information
As a result of the breach, Balfour began mailing data breach notification letters to impacted individuals. Based on the breach notice being sent to Vermont residents, Balfour is providing affected individuals with a list of the specific types of sensitive information impacted and complimentary credit monitoring services.1 A link to the letters that Balfour filed with the Attorney General of Vermont is below.
If you received a breach notification letter from Balfour & Co.:
We would like to speak with you about your rights and potential legal remedies in response to this data breach. Please fill out the form, below, or contact us at 872.263.1100 or sam@straussborrelli.com.
