Hackers acquired roughly 15 million T-Mobile customers’ records following a data breach at Experian, a vendor that processes credit applications for the carrier.
The records include names, addresses and birth dates as well as encrypted fields with Social Security numbers and ID numbers like driving licenses and passports.
Among the stolen records were those of new T-Mobile applicants requiring a credit check for service or device financing from September 1, 2013 through September 16, 2015.
Experian said that it discovered the breach on September 15 and informed federal and international law enforcement agencies immediately. It’s notifying individuals who may have been affected and is offering free credit monitoring and identity resolution services for two years.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
In a statement, T-Mobile CEO John Legere said, “Obviously I am incredibly angry about this data breach and we will institute a thorough review of our relationship with Experian.”
Chalk up another major data breach in the US in 2015: This year, an intrusion into the government’s Office of Personnel Management saw 21.5 million social security numbers stolen. More recently, hackers leaked details of 37 million users of the adulterers’ social network Ashley Madison.
➤ Overview: Unauthorized Acquisition of Personal Information [Experian]
Image credit: Mike Mozart / Flickr
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.