Reviewed Reviewed Published: Apr 1, 2024, 7:38pm Tens of millions of current and former AT&T customers have had their personal information leaked onto the dark web, the telecom company has announced. About 7.6 million existing AT&T account holders and more than 65 million former customers are affected by the , which was discovered last month, AT&T disclosed on Saturday. AT&T has reset the passcodes of the affected accounts, it said in a statement. A passcode is a four-digit PIN used as a security measure. It is separate from a password. What Information Was Leaked In the AT&T Data Breach? The exposed data, believed to be from 2019 or earlier, contained sensitive information such as names, addresses, birth dates and Social Security numbers—but not personal financial information or call history, according to AT&T. The discovery of the information on the dark web two weeks ago prompted AT&T to launch an investigation into the incident. However, it’s still unclear whether the data originated from the company directly or one of its vendors. AT&T said it is working to address the situation and secure breached accounts. It also promised to contact affected customers and provide free credit monitoring if needed. “We encourage customers to remain vigilant by monitoring account activity and credit reports,” AT&T added. “If a company involved in a data breach offers free , take advantage of it,” the Federal Trade Commission advises consumers on its website. Fraud alerts are available for free from
Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, the nationwide credit bureaus. You can also check your anytime at . How Can AT&T Customers Protect Themselves? If you believe your personal information might have been exposed through a data breach or some other incident, such as losing your wallet, experts say it’s important to act fast. Here are eight steps you can take to safeguard yourself against identity theft. Find the Best Identity Theft Protection Services of 2024