AT&T has confirmed a significant data breach impacting approximately 7.6 million current customers and 65.4 million former customers. The breach has led to the exposure of sensitive customer information, including full names, email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, dates of birth, AT&T account numbers, and passcodes.
Details of the Breach
The data breach includes a wide array of personal information, which is critical for the security and privacy of AT&T customers. The leaked dataset, discovered on the dark web, contains data dating back to 2019 or earlier. AT&T – a long-time partner of Microsoft – has stated there is no evidence of unauthorized access to its systems that could have resulted in the theft of this data. The origin of the data remains unidentified, raising concerns about the security measures in place to protect customer information.
In response to the breach, AT&T is taking several steps to safeguard its customers. The company is resetting the passcodes of affected users and recommends that all users change their passcodes as a precautionary measure. Additionally, AT&T is advising customers to remain vigilant by monitoring their account activity and credit reports. The company has suggested setting up free fraud alerts with major credit bureaus, including Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, to prevent potential identity theft.
Customer Advisory and Next Steps
AT&T has committed to informing all affected customers through email or letter, detailing the incident and the company’s response. Customers are encouraged to review AT&T’s FAQ page for more information on the breach and to be cautious of SMS or phishing emails impersonating AT&T. The company emphasizes the importance of verifying any communication purportedly from AT&T to avoid falling victim to scams.
The breach, initially denied by AT&T, was later confirmed to have originated from the company’s internal systems, according to threat actors ShinyHunters. This revelation has led to increased scrutiny of AT&T’s cybersecurity practices and the measures it takes to protect customer data. As the investigation into the breach continues, AT&T customers are advised to take proactive steps to secure their personal information and to stay informed about developments related to this significant cybersecurity incident.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 9:18 pm CET
