Gulshan Management Services, Inc. reported a ransomware attack discovered in September 2025 that compromised the personal information of over 377,000 individuals. The attack originated from a phishing email and resulted in attackers accessing sensitive customer and employee data for approximately 10 days before detection.
Gulshan Management Services, Inc., also known as Gulshan Enterprises, is a privately held company headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas. Founded in 1976, the company operates close to 150 gas stations and convenience stores under the Handi Plus and Handi Stop brands, as well as locations affiliated with major fuel brands including Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Conoco, Phillips 66, Texaco, and Valero. The company also oversees several fast food franchises, including Burger King, Wendy’s, and Sonic, and employs more than 200 people.
According to breach notification letters filed with state attorneys general, on the weekend of September 27, 2025, Gulshan discovered that an unauthorized third party had gained access to its information systems. A subsequent investigation determined that the unauthorized access resulted from a successful phishing attack on September 17, 2025. During the approximately 10-day period that attackers had access to the network, they were able to reach servers that hosted personal data and deploy malicious software that encrypted portions of the company’s network.
According to the breach notification filed with the Maine Attorney General’s office, 377,082 individuals nationwide were affected, including 54 Maine residents. No ransomware gang has publicly claimed responsibility for the attack as of this writing.
What Information Was Exposed In the Gulshan Management Services Data Breach?
The data breach at Gulshan Management Services exposed a significant amount of sensitive personal information. According to the company’s notification letters and state attorney general filings, the compromised information includes names, addresses, and contact details, as well as Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers.
The breach also exposed government-issued identification numbers and financial information, including credit and debit card numbers. This combination of personal identifiers and financial data creates significant risks for identity theft, financial fraud, and other malicious activities.
The exposure of payment card information is particularly concerning for customers who may have made purchases at Gulshan’s gas stations and convenience stores, while the exposure of Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers poses long-term identity theft risks for affected individuals.
How Gulshan Management Services Responded to the Breach?
Upon discovering the ransomware attack on September 27, 2025, Gulshan Management Services engaged legal counsel from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP to manage the disclosure process and ensure compliance with state notification requirements. The company also worked with third-party cybersecurity investigators to contain and remediate the incident.
According to the company’s disclosures, Gulshan expelled the attacker from its systems and restored operations using known-safe backups rather than paying a ransom to the attackers. This approach, while potentially resulting in some operational disruption, avoided directly funding criminal enterprises.
Affected customers were notified in writing on January 5, 2026, approximately three months after the breach was discovered. Gulshan is offering 12 months of complimentary identity protection services through Kroll Identity Monitoring Services to all impacted individuals. The identity theft protection package includes credit monitoring, fraud consultation, and identity theft restoration services.
The company now faces several class-action lawsuits in response to the breach.
How to Check If Your Personal Info Is Exposed
If you are a current or former customer of Handi Plus, Handi Stop, or any other gas station or convenience store operated by Gulshan Management Services, your personal information may have been exposed in this breach. This includes customers who made purchases at Gulshan-operated Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, or other branded gas stations in Texas and surrounding areas.
Employees of Gulshan Management Services or its affiliated locations may also be affected by the breach. The company has indicated it is mailing notification letters to individuals whose information was compromised.
Monitoring your financial accounts, reviewing credit reports, and watching for any notification letters from Gulshan are all crucial steps in assessing your potential exposure.
What You Can Do If Your Information Was Exposed
If your personal information may have been part of the Gulshan Management Services breach, you should take immediate steps to protect yourself. Review your financial accounts and credit card statements for any unfamiliar charges. Update account passwords, particularly for any accounts where you may have reused passwords.
Given that Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers were exposed, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). A credit freeze prevents new accounts from being opened in your name, while a fraud alert requires creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before extending credit.
If you received a notification letter from Gulshan, take advantage of the 12 months of complimentary identity protection services through Kroll. Enroll promptly, as there may be a deadline to activate these services.
Stay alert to unexpected calls, emails, or correspondence that may be phishing attempts using your stolen personal information. Acting now can limit the long-term consequences of this breach and protect your financial and personal information in the future.
Understanding Your Legal Rights: Data Breach Lawyer Near Me
Victims of data breaches may be entitled to legal remedies if a company did not adequately safeguard their personal information. The Gulshan Management Services breach, which originated from a phishing attack and allowed attackers access to sensitive data for approximately 10 days before detection, raises questions about the adequacy of the company’s cybersecurity measures and employee training.
Several class-action lawsuits have already been filed against Gulshan Management Services in response to this breach. Almeida Law Group is actively reviewing the incident to determine what legal options may be available for those affected.
If you received a notification letter from Gulshan Management Services or believe your information may have been exposed in this breach, you can contact Almeida Law Group for a free consultation.
