Hertz Data Leak on the Dark Web: What’s Out There and What It Means for You

When major corporations like Hertz suffer a data breach, the fallout often extends far beyond the company itself. 

In recent months, the Clop ransomware group has been linked to a massive Hertz data breach, with stolen customer and employee files surfacing on the dark web. 

For millions of affected individuals, this raises urgent questions: What kind of information is out there? How might cybercriminals use it? And most importantly, how can you protect yourself?

This article breaks down what’s known about the Hertz dark web data leak, the risks associated with exposed information, and what steps you can take right now.

Clop Ransom Group’s Dark Web Activity

The Clop ransomware gang is one of the most notorious cybercriminal groups operating today. They use a “double extortion” model: first stealing sensitive files, then demanding ransom payments, and finally publishing the stolen data on dark web leak sites if their demands aren’t met.

In Hertz’s case, thousands of files tied to customers, employees, and vendors reportedly appeared on Clop’s leak site. While not every file is always made public, the archive-style dumps often contain highly sensitive records that can be downloaded and sold to other criminals.

What Data Was Leaked?

Dark web researchers examining the Hertz leak have reported a wide variety of personal and financial data types, including:

• Passports and driver’s licenses – complete scans and images of IDs.
• Financial records – banking information, payment card details, or transaction history.
• Employee data – HR files, payroll records, and personally identifiable information (PII).
• Customer records – names, addresses, contact details, and rental documentation.

Even a single document type, such as a scanned ID, can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Combined with other leaked files, the potential for identity fraud grows exponentially.

How Cybercriminals Monetize Breached Data

Once stolen data is exposed on the dark web, it becomes a commodity. Cybercriminals monetize these files in multiple ways:

• Identity fraud – Using passports or driver’s licenses to open fraudulent credit lines, rent cars, or commit other crimes.
• Phishing attacks – Leveraging personal data to craft highly targeted scams.
• Credential stuffing – Testing leaked usernames and passwords across multiple sites to hijack accounts.
• Direct sales – Selling complete identity “packages” that include IDs, financial details, and contact information.

What may look like a random spreadsheet or image file to most people can be worth hundreds of dollars in underground markets.

Risks of Breached Government-Issued IDs

Government-issued IDs, like passports and driver’s licenses, pose especially serious risks. Unlike passwords, you can’t simply change your Social Security number or passport once it’s compromised. Criminals use these IDs to:

• Forge physical copies for use in travel or border crossings.
• Open bank accounts or credit lines under a false identity.
• Evade law enforcement by posing as another individual.

For victims, this can lead to long-lasting complications, including financial fraud investigations, travel restrictions, or difficulty passing routine identity checks.

The Scope: U.S. vs. International Exposure

Hertz operates worldwide, which means the data exposed in this breach likely impacts customers and employees across multiple countries. While U.S. residents face risks under laws like the CCPA, international victims are protected under frameworks like GDPR.

Unfortunately, criminals on the dark web don’t care about jurisdictional boundaries. Whether you rented a car in Florida or France, your data could be equally vulnerable once leaked.

Warning Signs of Identity Theft

If your data was exposed in the Hertz breach, you may not know immediately. But there are red flags to watch for:

• Unauthorized credit inquiries or new accounts in your name.
• Strange charges on your bank or credit card statements.
• Notifications that your password or credentials have been changed.
• Unexpected mail or bills for services you didn’t sign up for.
• Denied loans or credit due to inaccurate debt records.

Catching these signs early can limit the damage.

What to Do if You Suspect Your Data Is on the Dark Web

If you believe your information was exposed in the Hertz breach, take action immediately:

1. Place fraud alerts with major credit bureaus.
2. Check your credit reports for unfamiliar activity.
3. Change your passwords across sensitive accounts.
4. Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
5. File a police report if fraudulent accounts are opened in your name.
   
    

Protecting Compromised Credentials

Beyond immediate steps, you can protect yourself long-term by:

• Freezing your credit to prevent unauthorized new accounts.
• Monitoring your financial statements weekly.
• Using a password manager to avoid reusing credentials.
• Subscribing to identity protection services that alert you to suspicious activity.
  
   

The Role of Dark Web Monitoring

Companies like Kroll offer dark web monitoring services, scanning criminal forums and leak sites for your personal data. While these services cannot remove your data once it’s leaked, they can notify you quickly so you can take protective measures.

Quick detection matters because the sooner you know your data is out there, the faster you can shut down fraudulent activity.

Has my data actually been leaked on the dark web?

If you were a Hertz customer, employee, or vendor, it’s possible. Monitoring services or official breach notifications are the best way to confirm.

How do cybercriminals use leaked identity documents?

They use them for identity theft, fraud, or to sell them in bulk to other criminals. A passport scan can be used to commit crimes across borders.

What can individuals do if their data appears in leaked files?

Place fraud alerts, monitor credit reports, freeze credit, and report fraudulent activity immediately.

Are there ways to remove stolen data from the dark web?

Unfortunately, once data is leaked, it cannot be fully removed. Your best defense is monitoring and proactive protection.

Does enrollment in dark web monitoring help?

Yes. While it can’t delete your data, it helps detect exposure quickly, so you can limit damage.

The dark web leak involving passports, IDs, and financial records shows just how valuable your personal information can be to criminals.

If you believe your information was exposed in this breach or if you’re already experiencing fraud, you may have legal options. At Morgan & Morgan, we fight for victims of corporate negligence in protecting personal data. Our attorneys can help you understand your rights, hold companies accountable, and pursue compensation for financial losses tied to data breaches.

If you’ve been affected by the Hertz data breach, contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation.