Millions of AT&T Customers’ Information Leaked in Data Breach: Check If You Were Affected
In a shocking revelation, AT&T has announced that the sensitive information of millions of its current and former customers has been leaked online. The telecommunications giant confirmed the data breach over the weekend, stating that a dataset containing personal data, including Social Security numbers and passcodes, was discovered on the “dark web.” The breach affects approximately 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders.
While it is still unclear whether the leaked data originated from AT&T or one of its vendors, the company has launched an investigation into the incident. AT&T has also taken immediate action to notify customers whose personal information may have been compromised.
The compromised information includes Social Security numbers, passcodes (numerical PINS), full names, email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and AT&T account numbers. However, financial information and call history do not appear to be included in the breached data. It is important to note that the impacted data is from 2019 or earlier.
If you are an AT&T customer, you may be wondering if your information was affected. AT&T has stated that affected consumers will receive an email or letter directly from the company regarding the breach. These email notifications began going out on Saturday. In addition to notifying customers, AT&T has already reset the passcodes of current users and will provide credit monitoring services where applicable.
This is not the first data breach that AT&T has experienced. Over the years, the company has encountered several breaches of varying sizes and impacts. Interestingly, cybersecurity researcher Troy Hunt suggests that this recent breach closely resembles a similar incident in 2021 that AT&T never acknowledged. If the company fails to properly assess and notify impacted customers, it could potentially face class action lawsuits.
To protect yourself going forward, it is crucial to take proactive measures. While avoiding data breaches entirely may be challenging, there are steps you can take to safeguard your information. Creating strong and unique passwords, as well as utilizing multifactor authentication when available, are basic but effective measures. If you receive a breach notification, it is advisable to change your password and carefully monitor your account for any suspicious activity. Beware of scammers who may try to exploit the situation through phishing emails or phone calls. Always verify the contact information provided by visiting the company’s official website.
Furthermore, the Federal Trade Commission recommends that consumers consider credit freezes and fraud alerts offered by nationwide credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These services can help safeguard against identity theft and other malicious activities.
As AT&T continues its investigation into this alarming data breach, it serves as a reminder to remain vigilant in protecting our personal information in an increasingly digitized world.
