AT&T Data Breach: What You Need to Know and How to Protect Yourself

In a startling revelation last Friday, AT&T disclosed a massive data breach affecting nearly all of its cellular customers. This article provides crucial information about the breach, helps you determine if you're affected, and outlines steps to safeguard your data.

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Overview of the Breach
AT&T's filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealed that customer data was illegally downloaded from a third-party cloud platform. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has confirmed an ongoing investigation, with at least one person apprehended concerning the breach.

Who's Affected?
The breach impacts:

• Nearly all AT&T cellular customers
• Customers of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) using AT&T's network
• AT&T landline customers who interacted with affected cellular numbers

The compromised records cover customer call and text interactions from May 1 to October 31, 2022, and for a small subset of customers, January 2, 2023.

What Data Was Exposed?
While AT&T assures that the breached data doesn't include call or text content, personal information like Social Security numbers, or timestamps, it does contain:

• Phone numbers customers interacted with
• Counts of those interactions
• Total call durations for specific days or months

Protecting Yourself: Steps to TakeI
f you're an AT&T customer or suspect you might be affected, here are some crucial steps to take:

1. Stay Alert: Be wary of unsolicited calls or texts requesting personal or account information.
2. Report Suspicious Activity: Forward suspicious texts to AT&T and report any suspected fraud to their fraud team.
3. Guard Your Data: Only open messages from trusted contacts and never share personal details with unknown senders.
4. Monitor Your Credit: Although AT&T states that Social Security numbers weren't exposed, it's wise to:
   • Take advantage of any free credit monitoring services offered
   • Regularly check your credit reports for unfamiliar accounts or charges
   • Consider placing a credit freeze or fraud alert
5. Protect Your Banking Information: While AT&T claims banking details weren't compromised, if you're concerned:
   • Contact your bank to close accounts or cancel cards
   • Review transactions regularly for fraudulent charges
   • Update any automatic payments with new account information
     
     

Stay Informed and Proactive
AT&T has committed to notifying affected customers via text, email, or mail. You can also check your account online for any impact.

While the breach is concerning, it's important to remember that the compromised data doesn't include communications content or personal identifiers. However, remaining vigilant and following these protective measures can help mitigate potential risks. As this situation evolves, stay tuned for updates from AT&T and continue to monitor your accounts closely.

By staying informed and proactive, you can better protect yourself in the wake of this significant data breach.