Attorneys at Almeida Law Group are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of individuals affected by a possible Winston Contracting, LLC data breach. According to dark web monitoring sources, a hacker group calling itself qilin claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Winston Contracting, LLC in a post first observed in September 2026, alleging it had gained access to internal company systems. As of this writing, Winston Contracting, LLC has not issued a public confirmation of the incident, and the exact scope of any exposed data remains unknown. If you believe you were affected, contact Almeida Law Group.
About Winston Contracting, LLC
Winston Contracting, LLC is a privately held heavy construction and highway contracting company founded in 1996 and headquartered in Pelham, Alabama. The company offers grading, excavating, concrete paving, and related civil construction services, and holds contractor licenses in Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
What Happened?
Winston Contracting, LLC was listed on the Qilin ransomware group’s dark web leak site in an allegation indexed by Ransomware.live and first observed on September 14th, 2026. The claim was also independently flagged by RedPacket Security and HackNotice, though neither source provides confirmation from Winston Contracting itself. RedPacket Security noted that the scope and consequences of the alleged incident remain unspecified. No breach dates, data volume, specific data types, or ransom demands have been disclosed by any source. Winston Contracting’s website appears to be a minimal placeholder with no public breach notice, and no confirmation has been issued by the company, any state attorney general, or any regulatory body.
Qilin, also known as Agenda, is a Ransomware-as-a-Service operation that Check Point ranked as the top ransomware group by listed victims in Q1 2026. The group operates with no self-imposed restrictions on targeted sectors and has been observed attacking construction and engineering firms, among many others. According to MOXFIVE, the group claimed over 500 victims in 2026. As of August 2026, no arrest, indictment, sanction, or seizure has been announced against Qilin. No independent confirmation from Winston Contracting, law enforcement, or any regulator has been found for this specific incident.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Company or Organization: Winston Contracting, LLC
- Industry: Construction — heavy/highway construction, grading, and excavating (SIC 179; NAICS 238)
- Location: Pelham, Alabama
- Incident type: Ransomware leak-site allegation (dark-web claim; unconfirmed by organization)
- Source: Ransomware.live; RedPacket Security; HackNotice
What Should You Do?
If you believe your information may be involved, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to help prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name. Monitor your financial accounts closely for unfamiliar transactions and review your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you suspect your identity has already been misused, visit IdentityTheft.gov for step-by-step recovery guidance.
Your Legal Rights
If your personal information was involved in this breach, you may have legal rights depending on the facts of the incident and the law in your state. Almeida Law Group represents consumers in data breach and privacy litigation and can help you evaluate whether you may have a claim. Contact us at (708) 529-5418 or through our contact page for a free case evaluation.
