Daniel H Cook Associates Data Incident Notice

Daniel H Cook Associates recently reported a data security incident that may have involved sensitive personal information for certain individuals. According to a filing with the Maine Attorney General, an external hacking event affected the company’s systems, and notification letters have been mailed to people whose data may have been at risk. If you received one of these letters, you may be worried about identity theft, credit damage, or what to do next. This page explains what is publicly known so far, what steps you can take to protect yourself, and how Strauss Borrelli PLLC is reviewing potential legal claims arising from this event. If you want to discuss your options, you can call us or fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a claim.

Daniel H Cook Associates Inc. is identified in public filings as a business in the insurance industry, with a listed address at 1040 6th Avenue in New York, New York. It operates in the insurance sector and may interact with individuals and organizations in multiple states.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Company involved: Daniel H Cook Associates Inc.
• Type of incident: External system hacking / network intrusion, according to a Maine Attorney General filing.
• Date of incident: July 18, 2025 (as reported in the filing).
• Date discovered / reported: January 16, 2026, per the same filing.
• Type of information involved: Name and Social Security number.
• Individuals potentially affected: Approximately 36,663 people, including at least two Maine residents.
• Consumer notification: Written notification letters sent to affected individuals around January 16, 2026.
• Protection offered: 12 months of IDX services, including credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, identity restoration, and identity theft insurance.

What Happened?

According to a notice submitted to the Maine Attorney General, Daniel H Cook Associates experienced an external system incident involving its network that was characterized in the filing as an “external system breach (hacking).” The filing reports that this occurred on July 18, 2025, and involved unauthorized activity within the company’s systems.

The same regulatory filing indicates that the organization identified and reported the incident on January 16, 2026. At that time, it determined that certain personal data stored on its systems may have been affected. The Attorney General’s record shows that written letters were sent to individuals whose information was identified during the review and that identity theft protection services were offered.

Publicly available information does not yet describe every technical detail of how the attacker gained access, how long they remained in the systems, or whether any data has been misused. Strauss Borrelli PLLC is monitoring new disclosures and investigating what happened and how this incident may impact affected consumers.

What Information Was Exposed?

The Maine Attorney General filing indicates that the information involved in this incident may have included an individual’s name in combination with their Social Security number. This combination is considered highly sensitive because it can be used by criminals to commit identity theft, open new accounts, or file fraudulent tax returns.

The filing does not list any additional data elements, such as payment card details or medical information. However, even just a name together with a Social Security number can be enough for fraudsters to attempt to impersonate you. At this time, there is no public confirmation about whether any specific person’s information has been misused, so it is important to stay alert and take precautions.

What Should You Do Next?

1. Carefully review the notification letter. If you received a letter about this incident, read it closely and keep it in a safe place. It confirms that your information was identified during the investigation and may contain enrollment instructions and deadlines.
2. Enroll in the free IDX services. The company has reportedly offered 12 months of identity theft protection through IDX. Consider signing up promptly, following the instructions in your letter, so you can benefit from credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, and restoration assistance.
3. Check your credit reports and consider a fraud alert or freeze. Obtain your free credit reports from the major bureaus and look for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. You can place a free fraud alert or security freeze to make it harder for someone to open new credit in your name.
4. Monitor financial, insurance, and tax accounts. Regularly review bank, credit card, insurance, and benefits statements for suspicious activity. Be cautious about unexpected calls, texts, or emails asking for personal information, and watch for signs of tax refund fraud.
5. Document any problems you notice. Keep records of unusual charges, collection letters, time spent addressing potential identity theft, and any out-of-pocket losses. This documentation can be important if you later pursue legal claims.
6. Talk with a data privacy attorney. If your information was involved, you may have legal rights to seek compensation or other relief. You can contact Strauss Borrelli PLLC using the form on this page or by phone to request a free, no-obligation evaluation of your situation.

Your Legal Rights

State data security and privacy laws generally require companies to use reasonable safeguards to protect sensitive information like Social Security numbers and to provide timely notice when an incident occurs. When those duties are not met and consumers face a risk of identity theft, they may have the right to pursue claims for financial losses, the time and stress of dealing with the fallout, and stronger security measures going forward.

Depending on the facts, affected individuals may be able to bring lawsuits, including potential class actions, alleging negligence, privacy violations, or violations of consumer protection statutes. Remedies can include reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, credit monitoring, and improvements to the company’s data security practices. Deadlines known as statutes of limitation apply, so it is important to learn about your options as soon as possible. Speaking with an attorney can help you understand which rights may apply to your situation without obligating you to take legal action.

Why Hire Strauss Borrelli PLLC?

Strauss Borrelli PLLC focuses on representing consumers in data privacy and information security matters, including incidents involving Social Security numbers and other highly sensitive data. Our attorneys have represented thousands of data breach victims in cases involving healthcare, retail, and financial services companies, and we closely follow emerging cyber incidents like the one reported by Daniel H Cook Associates.

We investigate what companies knew about security risks, how they responded, and what harms consumers have suffered, with the goal of holding organizations accountable and improving data protections. Our firm offers free, no-obligation consultations, and we typically handle these matters on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover money for you. If you received a notice about this incident, we invite you to contact us using the form provided on this page to learn about your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my information was involved in the Daniel H Cook Associates data incident?

The primary way to know if your information was involved is if you received a written notification letter referencing this data security incident. According to the filing with the Maine Attorney General, Daniel H Cook Associates sent letters to people whose information was identified during its review of the event. If you are unsure whether a letter you received is legitimate, compare the contact details with those listed in official regulatory filings or call the company using a phone number you independently verify. You can also speak with a data privacy attorney to review the letter and help you understand what it means.

What are the risks if my Social Security number was exposed?

If an unauthorized party obtained your Social Security number, there is an increased risk of identity theft. Criminals may try to open credit accounts, take out loans, file fraudulent tax returns, or attempt to access government benefits in your name. These schemes can lead to damaged credit, time spent disputing charges, and other financial and emotional harm. Monitoring your credit reports, considering a fraud alert or freeze, enrolling in any free monitoring offered, and promptly responding to notices from banks, credit bureaus, or the IRS can help reduce these risks.

Should I enroll in the free IDX credit monitoring offered after this incident?

In many cases, enrolling in the complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection offered after a security incident is a sensible step, as it can provide early warning of suspicious activity and access to restoration assistance if problems arise. The Maine Attorney General filing indicates that Daniel H Cook Associates is offering 12 months of services through IDX. Before enrolling, read the terms in your notice letter so you understand what is covered, how long the protection lasts, and whether there are any limitations. Accepting these services does not usually prevent you from exploring your legal rights, but you can consult an attorney if you are unsure.

How much does it cost to have Strauss Borrelli PLLC review my Daniel H Cook Associates data incident claim?

Strauss Borrelli PLLC offers free, no-obligation consultations for individuals who believe their information was involved in this incident. If we take your case, we typically work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you do not pay out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees unless we obtain a financial recovery for you through a settlement or judgment. During your consultation, we can explain how this arrangement works and answer questions about potential costs before you decide whether to move forward.