Artivo Surfaces Data Incident: What Victims Should Know

Artivo Surfaces, a wholesale company based in Livonia, Michigan, has reported a data security incident involving its computer network that may have affected personal information. According to a notice filed with the Maine Attorney General, an unauthorized party accessed or acquired certain files on or around September 1, 2025, and those files may have contained names and Social Security numbers. The company has notified 1,036 people and is offering complimentary credit monitoring through Kroll. If you received a letter about this incident, you may be understandably concerned about identity theft, fraud, and what to do next. This overview from Strauss Borrelli PLLC explains what is known so far and outlines practical steps and legal options for impacted individuals.

If you received a notice from Artivo Surfaces about a recent data security event, it likely means some of your sensitive personal information may have been stored in files accessed during the incident. Based on information submitted to the Maine Attorney General, this incident involves Artivo Surfaces’ computer network and may affect over a thousand people nationwide. Below is a plain-language summary of what has been reported, what risks this may pose, and the steps you can take to protect yourself and understand your legal options.

Key Facts at a Glance

According to a filing with the Maine Attorney General and Artivo Surfaces’ notice:

• Company involved: Artivo Surfaces (wholesale business based in Livonia, Michigan)
• Type of incident: External system compromise / hacking involving Artivo’s network
• Date of suspicious activity and access: On or around September 1, 2025
• Date the review was completed / incident determined: November 24, 2025
• Date of consumer notification letters: On or about December 18, 2025
• Information that may have been involved: Name and Social Security number
• Number of individuals reportedly affected: 1,036 people in total, including one Maine resident
• Location of data: Information stored on Artivo Surfaces’ network
• Services offered: 12 months of credit monitoring and identity theft services through Kroll, at no cost to potentially impacted individuals
• Law enforcement: Artivo reports that it notified federal law enforcement about the event

Artivo Surfaces has stated it is not aware of any actual or attempted identity theft related to this incident as of the date of its notice. However, exposure of Social Security numbers can create a long-term risk of identity theft and fraud.

What Happened?

According to Artivo Surfaces’ notice to regulators and affected individuals, the company detected suspicious activity involving its network on or around September 1, 2025. Artivo reports that it immediately began an investigation to understand the nature and scope of the activity.

The investigation determined that an unauthorized actor accessed or acquired certain information on September 1, 2025. After learning this, Artivo states it conducted a detailed review of the data that may have been involved in order to determine what types of information were in those files and which individuals were affected.

Artivo reports that this review was completed on November 24, 2025. At that point, the company determined that certain personal information, including information tied to at least one Maine resident, was contained in the potentially accessed or acquired files. On or about December 18, 2025, Artivo began mailing notification letters to affected individuals.

In its filings, Artivo also indicates that it:

• Notified federal law enforcement about the incident, and
• Is implementing additional safeguards and employee training focused on data security and privacy.

While Artivo refers to this as a “data event” or “security incident,” the practical concern for individuals is that an unauthorized person may have had access to highly sensitive personal data stored on the company’s systems.

What Information Was Exposed?

The exact information involved can vary from person to person. Based on the Maine Attorney General filing and the company notice, the data elements that may have been involved include:

• Full name
• Social Security number

The company indicates that these data types were present in the files that were potentially accessed or acquired on September 1, 2025. It does not necessarily mean that every affected person had all of these data points exposed, only that these categories of information were contained in the impacted data set.

A Social Security number is one of the most sensitive pieces of personal information. If it is misused, it can potentially be used to:

• Open new credit accounts or loans in your name
• File fraudulent tax returns
• Access existing financial accounts
• Commit other forms of identity theft or fraud

Artivo Surfaces reports that it is not aware of any confirmed misuse of the affected information at this time. However, identity theft can occur months or even years after an incident, which is why ongoing monitoring and vigilance are important.

What Should You Do Next?

If you received a notice from Artivo Surfaces, consider taking the following steps to help protect yourself. These are general suggestions and not individualized legal advice.

1. Carefully read the letter you received.

   Confirm which types of information Artivo believes relate to you and note any enrollment codes or deadlines for free credit monitoring through Kroll. Keep the letter in a safe place; it is evidence of what the company reported about your data.

2. Enroll in the free Kroll services, if you are comfortable doing so.

   According to the notice, Artivo is offering 12 months of credit monitoring, fraud consultation, and identity theft restoration through Kroll at no cost. These services can help you detect suspicious activity more quickly and assist you in responding if identity theft occurs. Be sure to follow the enrollment instructions and do so before any stated deadline.

3. Monitor your bank, credit card, and other financial accounts.

   Review monthly statements for unauthorized charges, withdrawals, or account changes. If you see anything you do not recognize, contact your financial institution immediately and ask them to investigate and reverse fraudulent transactions.

4. Obtain and review your credit reports.

   You are entitled to free credit reports from the major credit reporting agencies. Check them for new accounts, inquiries, or addresses you do not recognize. If something looks wrong, follow the bureau’s dispute procedures and consider speaking with a consumer protection attorney.

5. Consider placing a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit file.

   A fraud alert tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts. A security freeze (credit freeze) restricts most new creditors from accessing your credit report altogether, making it harder for someone to open new credit in your name. You can place a freeze or fraud alert by contacting the major credit bureaus.

6. Watch for tax and government benefit fraud.

   Because Social Security numbers may have been involved, remain alert for unexpected notices from the IRS or state tax agencies, or problems with government benefits. These can be warning signs that someone is misusing your identity.

7. Document your time and out-of-pocket costs.

   Keep records of any expenses (such as notary fees, postage, or credit monitoring you purchase yourself) and the time you spend dealing with the incident. If you later pursue legal claims, this documentation can be important in showing how the incident affected you.

8. Consider speaking with a data privacy attorney.

   If your Social Security number or other sensitive information may have been involved, you may wish to consult with a law firm that focuses on data incidents. Strauss Borrelli PLLC can review your notice, help you understand your options, and explain what compensation or protections may be available under the laws of your state.

Your Legal Rights

A data security incident involving your Social Security number is not just an inconvenience; it can have serious and long-lasting consequences. Depending on your state and the specific facts, you may have important legal rights, which can include:

• Right to notice: In most states, companies are required to notify individuals when certain types of personal information may have been accessed by an unauthorized party. The letter you received from Artivo Surfaces is part of that obligation.
• Right to take protective measures: You generally have the right to place fraud alerts or security freezes on your credit files and to dispute inaccurate information on your credit reports.
• Possible right to compensation: In some situations, individuals may be able to seek compensation for out-of-pocket costs, time spent responding to the incident, and, in some cases, losses from identity theft. Some state consumer protection and data security laws also allow for statutory damages or other remedies.
• Right to seek stronger data security practices: Legal actions arising from data incidents sometimes seek court orders requiring companies to improve their cybersecurity and data handling practices.

Whether you have a viable legal claim will depend on details such as:

• What specific data of yours was involved
• How that data has been or may be used
• The state where you live and which laws apply
• Exactly what Artivo Surfaces did or did not do to protect your information before and after the incident

There are strict time limits, known as statutes of limitations, that control how long you have to bring certain types of claims. These deadlines can vary widely by state and by the type of claim. Speaking with an attorney sooner rather than later can help you avoid missing important deadlines and better protect your rights.

This article provides general information only and is not legal advice for your particular situation. For guidance on your specific circumstances, you should consult directly with an attorney.

Why Hire Strauss Borrelli PLLC?

Strauss Borrelli PLLC is a law firm that focuses on representing individuals in data privacy and data security incident cases across the United States. Our attorneys carefully review regulatory filings and company notices, like those issued in connection with the Artivo Surfaces incident, to evaluate whether affected individuals may have legal claims.

If you received a letter about the Artivo Surfaces data incident, Strauss Borrelli PLLC can:

• Review your notice and help you understand what information of yours may be at risk
• Explain the potential short- and long-term risks associated with possible exposure of your Social Security number
• Discuss the steps you have already taken and suggest additional protective measures to consider
• Evaluate whether you may have claims for compensation or additional protections under applicable state and federal laws

We strive to make the process as straightforward as possible. Our consultations regarding data incidents are free and confidential, and in many data privacy matters we represent clients on a contingency-fee basis, meaning legal fees are typically collected only if we obtain a recovery for you. The specific terms of any representation would be set out in a written agreement if you and the firm decide to move forward.

If you have received a notice about the Artivo Surfaces data incident or suspect your information may have been involved, you do not have to navigate this situation alone. Contact Strauss Borrelli PLLC to discuss your rights and options and to get clear, practical guidance on possible next steps.