Official Case FileIN · Aug 26, 2026

CITGO Petroleum Corporation Data Security Incident

Investigation Open

Reported to the IN Attorney General on August 26, 2026.

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§ I

The Breach — What We Know

CITGO Petroleum Corporation was the subject of a data breach notification filed with the IN Attorney General. The AG filing was recorded on August 26, 2026. The breach or discovery date reported in the filing is November 13, 2025.

CITGO Petroleum Corporation operates as a major, integrated energy company engaged in the refining, transportation, and marketing of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals, and other industrial products across the United States. Because of its massive operational footprint, extensive corporate supply chain, and workforce comprising thousands of employees, contractors, and commercial partners, the company collects and retains vast repositories of sensitive information. This includes exhaustive human resources and payroll files, detailed background screening documentation, proprietary commercial contracts, and comprehensive financial records necessary to sustain a multi-billion-dollar enterprise operating critical energy infrastructure. In 2026, CITGO Petroleum Corporation reported a significant data security incident to the Indiana Attorney General, triggering urgent privacy concerns for individuals whose information resided within the company's network architecture. While investigations into such corporate energy and industrial security breaches frequently point toward sophisticated cyberattacks—such as ransomware deployment, unauthorized extraction from enterprise resource planning databases, or compromises involving third-party vendor systems—the overarching reality is that critical infrastructure entities remain prime targets for malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in corporate digital perimeters. The exposure resulting from the CITGO breach threatens individuals whose private records were compromised, putting them at severe risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and targeted phishing scams. Because corporate databases of this scale typically house sensitive personnel and financial records, the unauthorized release of this information can have lifelong repercussions. When malicious actors gain access to foundational identifiers and compensation details, victims face an elevated threat of fraudulent credit applications, unauthorized bank transactions, tax-return fraud, and secondary social engineering attacks designed to extract further personal data. As a major enterprise handling sensitive personal and professional data, CITGO Petroleum Corporation was legally bound by applicable state data protection statutes, common-law duties of care, and federal guidelines to implement robust administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. These regulatory and legal obligations require continuous network monitoring, rigorous encryption standards, vulnerability management, and strict access controls to prevent unauthorized third-party entry. The occurrence of a data breach of this magnitude strongly indicates potential failures in fulfilling these fundamental duties, suggesting that existing security measures were inadequate to protect against reasonably foreseeable cyber threats. Receiving an official data breach notification letter from CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a formal acknowledgment that your private information was compromised due to inadequate corporate security practices. Legally, this notification establishes the necessary standing to participate in a class action lawsuit aimed at holding the company accountable. Importantly, affected individuals do not need to demonstrate actual financial loss to seek legal recourse; the increased risk of future identity theft and the loss of data privacy are actionable injuries. Our firm handles these complex data privacy cases on a contingency fee basis, ensuring that you pay absolutely nothing out of pocket unless we successfully secure a recovery on your behalf.
§ II

Case Facts & Filing Record

State Filed
IN
Date Reported to AG
Aug 26, 2026
Date of Breach
Nov 13, 2025
Records Affected
Not disclosed
Filing Status
Investigation Open
Last Updated
Oct 5, 2026
Data Types Exposed
Full NameSocial Security NumberDate of BirthWage and Compensation InformationTax Return InformationDirect Deposit Account DetailsHome AddressPhone Number
§ III

Risk Analysis — Exposed Data

Based on the data types reported in this filing, affected individuals face the following specific risks:

Identity Theftcritical

Your SSN is the master key to your identity. Once exposed, criminals can open new lines of credit, take out loans, or file taxes in your name.

Identity Verification Bypassmedium

Combined with a name and other leaked data, date of birth helps criminals pass identity verification questions at banks and government agencies.

SIM Swap & Vishingmedium

Phone numbers exposed in breaches are used for SIM swapping attacks — hijacking your number to bypass two-factor authentication on financial accounts.

§ IV

Are You One of the Victims?

Under the Indiana data breach notification law, you may have a legal claim against CITGO Petroleum Corporation if any of the following apply:

  • You received a written data breach notification letter from CITGO Petroleum Corporation
  • You are or were a customer, patient, or employee of CITGO Petroleum Corporation
  • Your information was held by CITGO Petroleum Corporation in IN
  • Your bank or payment card data was potentially exposed

Applicable law: This breach was reported under the Indiana data breach notification law, which establishes your right to seek damages from CITGO Petroleum Corporation.

§ V

Federal & State Protections — Compensation Available

01
Lost Time & Remediation Costs

The hours spent responding to a data breach — canceling accounts, contacting credit bureaus, updating passwords, and investigating fraud — represent compensable economic harm in data breach litigation.

02
Identity Theft Protection Costs

Once your SSN is exposed, protection becomes an ongoing expense. Plaintiffs in data breach settlements have recovered costs for credit freezes, identity protection subscriptions, and time spent dealing with fraudulent accounts — sometimes covering multiple years of exposure.

03
Banking & Account Fees

Fees charged to close and reopen accounts, issue replacement cards, or dispute fraudulent transactions are recoverable in data breach litigation. So are the costs of overdrafts, late payments, and credit damage caused by unauthorized activity.

04
Statutory Minimum Damages

Several state data breach laws provide for statutory minimum damages — fixed amounts recoverable per affected individual regardless of actual loss. These provisions exist specifically to make legal action viable for victims who have not yet experienced direct harm.

Note: an attorney general breach filing does not by itself establish a settlement fund, a payment amount, or a claim deadline. If an official settlement notice is later issued, rely on that notice for payment details and deadlines.

§ VI

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need proof that my data was misused to file a claim against CITGO Petroleum Corporation?

No. Under Indiana data breach notification law and federal law, the unauthorized exposure of your personal data — regardless of whether it has been actively misused — can be sufficient grounds for a claim. The breach itself is the injury.

How much does filing a claim cost?

Nothing. The Law Office of David S. Harris handles data breach cases on contingency — you pay zero upfront and owe nothing unless compensation is recovered.

My Social Security Number was exposed. What should I do right now?

Immediately place a free credit freeze at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). A freeze blocks new accounts from being opened in your name. Then file a complaint with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and contact our office — SSN exposure is one of the most serious breach types.

My financial account data was exposed. Can the bank recover my losses?

Banks may reverse fraudulent charges, but they are not obligated to compensate you for time lost, stress, or indirect damages. A class action claim against the breached company can recover those additional categories of harm.

Is there a deadline to file a claim?

State statutes of limitations for data breach claims typically run 2–4 years from the date of the breach or its discovery. Because this breach was recently disclosed, the window is open — but acting early preserves your options and strengthens the case.

What if CITGO Petroleum Corporation offered me free credit monitoring after the breach?

Accepting free credit monitoring from CITGO Petroleum Corporation does not waive your right to pursue legal action unless you signed a specific release waiving claims. In most cases, victims who accepted monitoring can still file.

Do I need to have received a notice letter to be eligible?

Not necessarily. Many data breach victims are never notified directly. If your personal information was held by CITGO Petroleum Corporation during the relevant period, you may still qualify even without receiving a letter. A free eligibility review can confirm your status.

Received a notification letter from CITGO Petroleum Corporation?

Read our dedicated guide — what the letter means and exactly what to do.

Read Letter Guide →
§ VII

Submit Your Free Case Review

If you were affected by the CITGO Petroleum Corporation data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. Submit your information below for a free attorney review — no obligation, no upfront cost.

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Source: State Attorney General filing, IN

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