Hackers accessed the data of 15 million customers of T-Mobile US Inc (NYSE:TMUS) by targeting the firm that processes the credit checks of the wireless carrier. The firm named Experian said yesterday that it experienced a data breach which nabbed customer information from 1st of September, 2013 to 16th of September, 2015.
The stolen information include names, addresses, date of births, and drivers’ license numbers, though no payment or credit card information. Experian stores the information when it carries out a check on credit score of the customer to identify if they are eligible for a service. Thus, everyone who experienced a credit check, even if it’s an ex-customer, is at risk. This data breach marks the most recent and eminent compromising of personal information.
Chief Executive Officer at T-Mobile, John Legere said he is very angry regarding this data breach and the company will institute an in-depth review of its affiliation with Experian, however at the moment his top concern is to assist all affected customers.
The 15 million individuals affected by the breach account for more than a quarter of T-Mobile (TMUS)’s 58.9 million customers, though few of the affected people are no longer customers.
Experian reported it is in the process of informing people who might be affected. The current and former customers would get letter in the coming week, according to a spokesman at T-Mobile.
The firm is providing two years of identity protection and credit monitoring services via ProtectMyID. Any customer of T-Mobile can avail this offer irrespective of whether they are affected. Head of Experian North America, Craig Boundy said the company takes privacy quite seriously and it recognizes that this breach is frustrating and stressful.
The company also notified customers to be cautious of emails, as neither Experian nor TMUS will reach its customers to ask for personal data in association with the breach.
