Millions of AT&T Customers Affected by Data Breach - How to Safeguard Your Identity

What happened

Personal data has been found on the dark web belonging to about 7.6 million AT&T customers as well as 65.4 million former ones. The leaked data, which appears to be from 2019, includes people's names, contact information, Social Security numbers, and more. In a press release, AT&T said it has reset passwords on affected accounts and is sending emails or letters to those impacted by the breach.

So what

If criminals get a hold of your Social Security number and other information, they can use it to steal your identity. That might mean opening a credit card or borrowing money in your name. That can damage your credit rating and even leave you facing legal action for someone else's debts.

Sadly, our personal information has never been more at risk. Alex Yampolskiy, CEO of SecurityScorecard, predicted that 2024 could break records for the number of data breaches. Telecommunications companies are a particular focus for hackers, and AT&T is not the only one to have been targeted.

Now what

• Monitor your credit: You can get free weekly credit reports from all three credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Pay attention to any accounts you didn't open or credit inquiries from unfamiliar companies.
• Use hard-to-guess passwords: Consider using a string of unconnected words, numbers, and symbols. Use different passwords for every account and consider using a password manager.
• Consider setting up a credit freeze or fraud alert: These can prevent unauthorized access to your credit report.
• Use two-factor authentication (2FA): An additional layer of security on top of your password, especially crucial for financial activities like online banking.