Data Breach at Marquis Fintech Exposes Sensitive Information of Over 400,000 Bank Customers
DALLAS, Texas — A significant cybersecurity breach has compromised the personal and financial information of more than 400,000 Americans, with Texas bearing the brunt of the attack. The incident, which surfaced publicly on December 20, 2025, involved a ransomware attack targeting Marquis Marketing Services, a fintech company that provides marketing and compliance services to over 700 banks and credit unions nationwide.
Hackers exploited a known but unpatched vulnerability in a SonicWall firewall appliance to gain unauthorized access to Marquis’ network. This breach allowed attackers to obtain a wide range of sensitive consumer data, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, postal addresses, and bank account details such as debit and credit card numbers. The breach reportedly dates back to August 14, 2025, but was only recently disclosed through legally mandated notifications filed in states including Texas, Maine, Iowa, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Texas was the hardest hit, with more than 354,000 residents affected, according to state disclosures. The number of impacted individuals continues to rise as Marquis continues to notify affected customers. The company confirmed the incident was a ransomware attack, though it has not publicly identified the perpetrators. Cybersecurity experts widely associate the attack with the Akira ransomware gang, which has a history of targeting organizations using SonicWall devices during large-scale exploitation campaigns.
Marquis issued a statement emphasizing its response efforts: “Upon discovery, we immediately enacted our response protocols and proactively took the affected systems offline to protect our data and our customers’ information. We engaged leading third-party cybersecurity experts to conduct a comprehensive investigation and notified law enforcement.” The company also noted there is currently no evidence that the stolen information has been used for identity theft or financial fraud.
The breach underscores the risks posed by unpatched vulnerabilities in critical cybersecurity infrastructure. SonicWall, a widely used firewall provider, has issued advisories urging organizations to apply security patches promptly to prevent similar exploits. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has repeatedly highlighted the importance of timely patch management as a key defense against ransomware threats.
Financial institutions and their customers are particularly vulnerable in such attacks due to the sensitive nature of the data involved. Marquis’ role as a centralized service provider amplifies the potential damage, as a single breach can expose data across multiple banks and credit unions. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) recommends that consumers monitor their accounts closely and utilize fraud alert services if they suspect their information has been compromised.
In response to the breach, affected customers are advised to review their financial statements diligently and consider enrolling in credit monitoring programs. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides guidance on steps to take following a data breach, including placing fraud alerts and freezing credit reports to mitigate potential misuse.
This incident adds to a growing list of ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure and service providers across the financial sector. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continues to investigate these attacks and encourages organizations to report incidents promptly to aid in tracking and mitigating cyber threats.
As Marquis and law enforcement agencies work to contain the breach and prevent further damage, this event serves as a stark reminder of the persistent cybersecurity challenges facing both consumers and financial institutions in an increasingly digital economy.
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