You probably have heard about the most recent T-Mobile data breach in the press. Some estimates have as many as 40 million consumers affected by the breach while others claim as many as 100 million customers affected by it. This is the third data breach on T-Mobile since December 2020
Data that was exposed included customers’ names, dates
of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, addresses, phone
numbers and IMEI’s and IMSI’s. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and
IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) can be used to track your
mobile device or in SIM swapping. Social Security numbers and driver’s license
numbers can be use for fraudulent applications for loans, credit cards or bank accounts
in your name.
T-Mobile customers, past, present, and potential (if
you have applied for a T-Mobile account) should pay attention to this breach
and take action to protect yourself. Here are some suggestions:
·
Freeze your credit. A credit freeze restricts
access to your credit report to your existing creditors which helps prevent new
lines of credit from being opened in your name.
·
Change your passwords and PIN numbers for
your T-Mobile account. Make sure that you are NOT using the same passwords and PINs
across multiple accounts.
·
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA or
2FA) on your accounts. With MFA, often you receive a text message with a code
that you input when you are logging into your account. While considered an improvement
in security, MFA with a text is not secure. For example, someone who has
conducted a SIM swap, has access to your text messages. A better solution is to
use a free authenticator app, like you can acquire from Microsoft and Google, which
are more secure.
·
Monitor your financial accounts for
fraudulent activity.
·
Be alert for breach notifications. Take
actions as necessary recommended in those notifications.
·
Be alert for phishing emails that may be
designed to look like they are from your provider that has been breached.
The Seattle Times:
Krebs on Security:
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/08/t-mobile-investigating-claims-of-massive-data-breach/
Identity Theft Resource Center:
https://www.idtheftcenter.org/t-mobile-data-breach-what-steps-to-take-now/
https://helpcenter.idtheftcenter.org/s/article/Place-a-Credit-Freeze
T-Mobile:
https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/data-breach-2021?icid=MGPO_TMO_P_21DTASECRT_8SZBD38SJT3BHWAY26101
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