Petco data breach exposes sensitive customer information in misconfigured software setting

Petco has disclosed a data breach exposing a range of customer information after a misconfigured software setting left certain files accessible online. The issue has been corrected, and the company says it began notifying affected individuals and is monitoring for further issues. The breach underscores how software configurations can create significant security gaps even without a successful external intrusion.

State regulators' filings outline the scope of the exposure. Among the data reportedly accessible were names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account details, credit or debit card numbers and dates of birth. In California, additional residents were affected according to filings there, as well as disclosures in Massachusetts, Montana and Texas. California requires reporting when breaches involve at least 500 state residents; Petco did not disclose a total number of affected individuals, suggesting the real total could be higher. Petco served more than 24 million customers in 2022, providing context for the potential size of the exposure. The company said it sent notices to individuals whose information was involved and has since corrected the problematic setting and implemented new security measures. In California, Massachusetts and Montana, Petco is offering free credit and identity theft monitoring to victims; it was not clear whether Texas residents were offered the same coverage.

"We recently identified a setting in one of our applications which inadvertently made certain Petco files accessible online. Upon identifying the issue, we took immediate steps to correct the error and began an investigation. We notified individuals whose information was involved and continue to monitor for further issues. We take this incident seriously. To help prevent something like this from happening again, we have taken and will continue to take steps to enhance the security of our network," a Petco representative told CyberGuy. The stance reflects a common pattern after breaches: quick containment, notifications to affected individuals and accelerated security reviews.

For consumers, the breach translates into long-term risk. Access to government-issued IDs, financial numbers and birth dates can fuel a range of fraud, from opening new accounts to taking over existing ones or passing identity checks. Even if immediate fraud does not occur, exposed data can circulate in criminal markets for years. Experts advise several proactive steps to reduce risk in the wake of a breach like this. First, place a credit freeze to block new credit accounts in the victim’s name; freezes can be placed for free at the major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion—and prevent criminals from opening loans or cards using stolen data. It’s also prudent to add two more freezes that don’t rely on the major bureaus: Freeze ChexSystems to prevent new checking or savings accounts, and Freeze NCTUE to block fake phone, cable or utility accounts. Customers should turn on account alerts for banking, credit cards and online shopping accounts to identify suspicious activity quickly. Using a password manager helps create unique, strong passwords for every site and can mitigate credential-stuffing attacks started with data from a different breach. If a user discovers their email has appeared in breaches, many password managers offer breach scanning and guidance to change reused credentials across sites. Identity monitoring services can add another layer of protection by watching for signs that personal data is being misused and, if helpful, helping to freeze additional bank or card accounts to prevent further unauthorized activity. For people who want a broader check, running a scan to see whether personal information has already appeared in known leaks can be beneficial, and many services offer free checks to see if further action is warranted. Finally, consumers should remain vigilant for phishing attempts that often follow breaches, and pair awareness with protective measures such as antivirus software that can block risky links and detect malware or ransomware.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges in retail-tech security, where configuration errors can leave sensitive information exposed even without a traditional successful cyberattack. As retailers increasingly rely on interconnected systems and cloud-based software, companies are under growing pressure to demonstrate robust safeguards, continuous monitoring and rapid response capabilities when misconfigurations occur. Regulators and consumer advocates have urged firms to harden access controls, enforce least-privilege principles, and implement automated monitoring to detect unusual activity that could indicate data exposure.

The breach also intersects with broader cybersecurity advice that remains consistent across breaches: minimize exposure by limiting what data is stored in online-accessible files, regularly review permissions and access settings, and maintain a layered security posture. While no single action can entirely prevent identity theft, combining freezes, alerts, strong authentication, ongoing monitoring and data hygiene can significantly reduce risk for individuals.

As Petco continues to assess the full scope of the exposure and its consequences for customers, affected individuals are encouraged to review notices from the company and, where applicable, enroll in offered monitoring services. Additional guidance and tools on identity protection remain available through CyberGuy’s resources, including recommendations on password managers and security software for 2025.

Petco says it has corrected the misconfiguration and is continuing to monitor for further issues. The company did not disclose a precise timeline for when the issue occurred or when notifications began, but filings indicate the breach involved a period during which files were accessible online before being remediated.

Industry observers note that the combination of personal identifiers and financial data can be particularly valuable to criminals over the long term, creating incentives for identity fraud that may surface months or years after initial exposure. The incident serves as a reminder for consumers to maintain vigilance, especially during peak shopping seasons when phishing attempts and account takeover scams tend to rise in frequency and sophistication.

In addition to immediate protective steps, experts suggest reviewing credit reports regularly, checking bank statements for unfamiliar transactions, and considering services that help remove or minimize online exposure of personally identifiable information. Data broker and people-search companies can compile a wide array of details that scammers could leverage; while removal services cannot guarantee complete erasure of all data, they can reduce exposure by systematically limiting what is publicly accessible.

If readers have questions about how to apply the recommended protections—such as how to place a credit freeze or how to use a password manager—the CyberGuy resource hub offers step-by-step guidance and updated recommendations for 2025. Consumers are urged to stay informed about data-breach notices from retailers and to take prompt action when personal information is implicated, to reduce the risk of long-term harm from breaches like the one involving Petco.