On July 17, 2024, Modern Automotive, a family-owned network of car dealerships across South Carolina and North Carolina, appeared on the leak site of the BlackByte ransomware group. The listing states that internal files were exfiltrated during a ransomware attack. The company, founded in 1933, operates multiple locations including Modern Nissan, Modern Toyota, Modern Infiniti, Modern Hyundai, and Modern Subaru dealerships. Anyone who has bought or serviced a vehicle at these locations, or whose personal information was shared with them, may now be at risk.
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Details from the Leak Site
The BlackByte leak site listing states that internal files were exfiltrated in the ransomware incident. It does not specify the exact number of records affected or list the precise data types exposed. The disclosure indicates the data is now publicly available for anyone who visits the site or obtains it through other channels. No ransom demand amount or payment deadline is detailed in the public listing. Modern Automotive has not yet issued a formal customer notification detailing what specific customer information was taken.
Why This Matters for You and Your Family
When a dealership like Modern Automotive suffers a breach, the information at stake often includes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, driver’s license details, Social Security numbers, financing records, and service histories. Even if the leak site does not quantify the records, thousands of customers are likely exposed. This data can be used for identity theft, tax fraud, or targeted phishing attacks against you or your family members. If you or anyone in your household has purchased a car, arranged financing, or had repairs done at any Modern Automotive location in the past decade, your information could be in the stolen files.
The Doxxing and Identity-Chain Risks
Ransomware leaks rarely stop at one dataset. Criminals combine the dealership files with other breaches to build complete profiles. A phone number from this claimed breach can link to your email, which then connects to social media accounts, children’s gaming usernames, or family addresses. These identity chains make doxxing easier and can lead to account takeovers, swatting, or harassment. Credential leaks like this one frequently cascade into gaming account compromises, especially for households where family members reuse passwords or security questions tied to personal details such as vehicle purchase dates or addresses.