A recent data breach at AT&T has exposed sensitive information belonging to millions of current and former customers, the telecommunications giant announced over the weekend. The breach involved a dataset found on the dark web, containing Social Security numbers and passcodes for approximately 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders. It is unclear whether the data originated from AT&T or one of its vendors, and the company has initiated an investigation into the incident, while also notifying affected customers.
The information compromised in the breach includes Social Security numbers, passcodes (numerical PINS), full names, email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and AT&T account numbers. The data impacted is from 2019 or earlier and does not include financial information or call history. AT&T has reset the passcodes of current users and is providing credit monitoring services where applicable to mitigate the impact of the breach. They have also launched a comprehensive investigation with internal and external cybersecurity experts to further understand the extent of the breach.
Customers affected by the breach will receive notification emails or letters directly from AT&T with information about the incident. These notifications began going out on Saturday following the discovery of the breach. While AT&T has experienced various data breaches of varying magnitudes in the past, this breach closely resembles a similar incident from 2021 that was never publicly acknowledged by the company. Cybersecurity experts warn that if AT&T fails to notify impacted customers promptly, they could face legal repercussions, such as potential class action lawsuits.
To protect themselves from data breaches in the future, consumers are advised to create strong passwords, use multifactor authentication whenever possible, and monitor their account activity for any suspicious transactions. In the event of a breach, changing passwords and keeping a close eye on financial accounts is recommended. It’s crucial to be cautious of phishing attempts, where scammers may impersonate companies like AT&T to gather personal information. Additionally, individuals can take advantage of free credit freezes and fraud alerts provided by credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to safeguard against identity theft and other malicious activities. Stay informed and vigilant to safeguard your personal information in an increasingly digitized world.
