Current:Home > ScamsHere's how to find out if your data was stolen in AT&T's massive hack -WealthRoots Academy
Here's how to find out if your data was stolen in AT&T's massive hack
View
Date:2025-04-14 09:42:34
If you're one of AT&T's cellular customers, you can check your account to see if your data was compromised as part of the massive breach the telecom giant announced on Friday.
If you were an AT&T customer between May 1, 2022 to Oct. 31, 2022, it's likely your data was involved, given that the company said "nearly all" its cellular customers' records were gathered by hackers during that time. The breach also includes records from Jan. 2, 2023 for a "very small number of customers," AT&T said.
But customers can check if their data was compromised by logging into their accounts, according to AT&T.
"When customers log in, they can see if their data was affected. They can also request a report that provides a more user-friendly version of technical information that was compromised," an AT&T spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch.
The company also said it will alert customers who were impacted via text, email or U.S. mail.
The company isn't providing identity theft protection to customers at this time, the company spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch. AT&T said customers can visit att.com/DataIncident for more information.
The compromised data involves records of calls and texts for AT&T customers, but doesn't include the content of the calls or texts, or personal information such as Social Security numbers, birth dates or other personally identifiable information.
Why did AT&T wait to alert customers?
Under U.S. securities regulations, companies must disclose data breaches within 30 days of learning about the security problem. AT&T said that it learned about the hack in April, but delayed informing customers because it was working with agencies such as the Department of Justice and the FBI, which determined that disclosing the breach could cause security risks.
"The breach is considered a national security concern because these call logs reveal social and/or professional networks of people," said Patrick Schaumont, professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in an email.
He added, "If person A has a role relevant to national security, then person A's social network is a liability. So, person A's call log must be kept secret. That's why the Department of Justice prevented AT&T from disclosing the breach until now."
AT&T hasn't revealed the identity of the hacker or hackers responsible, but noted that one person has been apprehended in connection with the breach.
- In:
- Data Breach
- AT&T
Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.
TwitterveryGood! (17668)
Related
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Drake Fires Back at Weirdos Criticizing His Friendship With Millie Bobby Brown
- Major airlines suspend flights to Israel after massive attack by Hamas ignites heavy fighting
- Stock market today: Asian markets are mixed, oil prices jump and Israel moves to prop up the shekel
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Jimbo Fisher too timid for Texas A&M to beat Nick Saban's Alabama
- Investigators: Pilot error was cause of 2021 plane crash that killed 4 in Michigan
- What does George Santos' ex-campaign treasurer Nancy Marks' guilty plea mean for his criminal defense?
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Making Solar Energy as Clean as Can Be Means Fitting Square Panels Into the Circular Economy
Ranking
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Simone Biles becomes the most decorated gymnast in history
- What does a change in House speaker mean for Ukraine aid?
- What does a change in House speaker mean for Ukraine aid?
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Terence Davies, filmmaker of the lyrical ‘Distant Voices, Still Lives,’ dies at the age of 77
- Videos of 'flash mob' thefts are everywhere, but are the incidents increasing?
- Panthers OL Chandler Zavala carted off field, taken to hospital for neck injury
Recommendation
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
Texas Rangers slam Baltimore Orioles, take commanding 2-0 ALDS lead
New York, New Jersey leaders condemn unprecedented Hamas attack in Israel
Terence Davies, filmmaker of the lyrical ‘Distant Voices, Still Lives,’ dies at the age of 77
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
Jimbo Fisher too timid for Texas A&M to beat Nick Saban's Alabama
U.S. leaders vow support for Israel after deadly Hamas attacks: There is never any justification for terrorism
What survivors of trauma have taught this eminent psychiatrist about hope