Customers urged to monitor accounts and online interactions for any suspicious activities

Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Board of Directors of Access Financial Services Limited (AFS) is assuring its customers, shareholders and other stakeholders that the company maintains full control of its network and remains vigilant in monitoring the online space in the wake of a recent cybersecurity incident. 

As reported by Our.Today earlier this month, AFS first became aware of the cybersecurity incident on February 26, 2025, and immediately took steps to contain it. With the support of international cybersecurity consultants, the company disrupted the unauthorized access and secured its network.

There has been no other security incident since. Investigations subsequently confirmed that unauthorized access to sensitive areas had resulted in a data breach from the incident. 

In keeping with the regulations under the Jamaica Data Protection Act, the management formally notified the Office of the Information Commission (OIC) within the prescribed timeframe. A formal report was also made to the police. 

Revelations from ongoing cyber surveillance

Ongoing cyber surveillance since then has revealed that personal data extracted, presumably from the company’s network, was released on the dark web on March 21, 2025, along with a posted ransom. No direct contact has been made with the company. 

Affected data subjects include clients and customers and AFS is unable to confirm the nature of all the data that has been impacted. In the meantime, the management is taking the necessary steps to inform stakeholders of this latest development, including data subjects and the OIC.

AFS is advising clients and customers to monitor their accounts and online interactions for any unusual or suspicious activities. The board is reiterating its commitment to providing timely updates to regulators, clients and customers even as the company continues to take steps to enhance existing cybersecurity protocols with a view to strengthening any potential weaknesses. 

The Board wishes to once again assure its valued stakeholders that while the company navigates this incident, management is making every effort to minimize disruptions and ensure business continuity.