AT&T security data breach: In a startling revelation, AT&T announced that an extensive data breach had occurred, compromising nearly all its cellular customers’ call and text message records. The breach, which AT&T disclosed in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, was detected in April when customer data was found to have been illegally downloaded from an AT&T workspace hosted on a third-party cloud platform. This breach has led to the exposure of customer call and text interactions from May 1 to October 31, 2022, and for a small number of customers, records from as recent as January 2, 2023, have also been compromised.
The breach affects not only AT&T’s direct cellular customers but also customers of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) utilizing AT&T’s wireless network and landline customers who have interacted with these cellular numbers.
Data Exposed in the Breach
According to AT&T, the exposed data does not include the content of calls or texts, nor does it contain personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or other sensitive personal information. Remarkably, the data also does not cover some information typically visible in your usage details, like the timestamps of calls or texts.
However, AT&T has admitted that despite the absence of customer names in the compromised data, it’s often possible to associate phone numbers with names using publicly available tools. The company has reassured affected customers that, to their knowledge, the exposed data has not been made publicly available.
How AT&T Customers Can Stay Safe
Here are some simple steps AT&T has advised customers to take to protect themselves:
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- Be Cautious of Suspicious Calls and Texts: Do not respond to unsolicited requests for personal or financial information. Forward suspicious texts to AT&T for assistance.
- Report Fraud: If you suspect fraudulent activity on your AT&T wireless number, report it to their fraud team immediately.
- Secure Communication: Only open text messages from familiar and trusted sources.
Additional Steps If Your Information Has Been Exposed
While AT&T has confirmed that Social Security numbers were not exposed, customers still concerned about their personal information can take further steps to protect themselves:
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- Free Credit Monitoring: Take advantage of any free credit monitoring services offered.
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- Check Credit Reports: Regularly review your credit reports for any discrepancies or unrecognized activities.
- Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert: Consider placing a credit freeze or a fraud alert on your credit reports to prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com, where you can check your reports weekly for free.
Bank Account and Credit Card Precautions
For those concerned about compromised banking information, even though AT&T stated that no personally identifiable information was involved, the following actions are suggested:
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- Contact Your Bank: Inform your bank of the potential breach and take necessary actions like closing your account or replacing your cards.
- Review Transactions: Keep an eye on your bank transactions for any unauthorized charges.
- Update Automatic Payments: If your banking information has changed, don’t forget to update the details for automatic payments.
This AT&T data breach serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist within our digital ecosystem. Taking proactive steps to secure personal information is more crucial than ever.
For further assistance and updates, AT&T customers are encouraged to stay in touch with the company’s communications and check their account status online.
