In August 2025, Kern Oil & Refining Inc. d/b/a Kern Energy (“Kern”) experienced a security incident in which an unauthorized third party gained access to its systems. Upon discovery, Kern immediately contained the threat, engaged forensic experts, and notified law enforcement. The investigation determined that the unauthorized party may have accessed systems containing personal information of individuals with a current or former relationship with Kern (such as employees, dependents, or beneficiaries).
At this time, there is no evidence that the data was accessed, stolen, or misused. However, Kern mailed notices to potentially impacted individuals on November 12, 2025, and offered 24 months of complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services through Epiq Privacy Solutions ID.
Kern Energy is an independent oil refining company headquartered in Bakersfield, California. It supplies fuel products throughout California and emphasizes operational safety and environmental responsibility.
Following the breach, Kern implemented enhanced security measures, including updated policies, tools, and configurations, to minimize the risk of future incidents.
If you received a Data Breach notification letter from Kern Energy, it confirms that your information was potentially impacted.
What information is involved in the Kern Energy Data Breach?
Compromised information may include:
Name
Address
Phone Number
Date of Birth
Social Security Number
Health Insurance Information
Other employment or beneficiary-related data
Your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) includes details that can be used to identify you. Organizations are legally obligated to safeguard this data, and failure to do so can result in statutory fines and other legal consequences. If PII is stolen, it may be exploited by criminals to commit identity fraud.
A specific category of PII is Protected Health Information (PHI), which pertains to personal medical data. PHI is safeguarded under both federal and state regulations. Entities such as healthcare providers and businesses that manage PHI must ensure its security. Just like PII, compromised PHI can be misused by identity thieves, and it’s common for cybercriminals to use both types of information together.
If your data has been exposed in a breach, one of the most effective steps you can take is to enroll in credit and identity monitoring services promptly.
Residents of California benefit from additional privacy protections under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which grants enhanced rights regarding personal data. Additionally, California residents also benefit from medical privacy protections under the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), which specifically grants enhanced protections for confidential medical data.
If you received a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH letter from Kern Energy, your personal, financial, and/or medical information may be at risk. This type of data can be exploited by identity thieves to commit fraud and other crimes.
Contact the Data Breach Lawyers at Emery | Reddy, PC for a Free Case Review today.