USPIRG on the T-Mobile Data Breach

 This should have been a web page I could have linked on Twitter. Since it's not, here is the content of an e-mail from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, where I did my first grown-up full-time job more summers ago than I want to count...

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T-Mobile just announced it experienced a major data breach in which hackers stole the personal information of more than 54.7 million customers.1

The hackers stole names, birthdates, Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers -- all information that can lead to identity theft. While this is not the first data breach T-Mobile has experienced, this could be its worst breach yet.2

The hackers stole data from past, present and prospective customers, so even if you don't currently use T-Mobile, you could still be affected.

T-Mobile has yet to announce how or when it will notify customers whether their data was stolen.3 In the meantime, here are the best ways to protect yourself:

• Change your passwords: While T-Mobile does not believe any user passwords were stolen, updating your passwords and PINs could add an extra layer of protection and secure your account.

• Freeze your credit: Freezing your credit files is free, doesn't affect your credit score, and prevents hackers from opening new lines of credit in your name. Use this step-by-step guide and video to easily freeze your credit.

• Watch out for scam calls: Hackers could pose as T-Mobile employees to get even more of your information. Don't provide or confirm any personal information to a caller you weren't expecting.

You can read more about the best ways to protect yourself with this helpful article.

Sincerely,

Faye Park
President

P.S. Keeping you up-to-date on data breaches and consumer protection news wouldn't be possible without supporters like you. If you found this email helpful, consider supporting all the work we do with a donation today.

1. Teresa Murray and Hannah Rhodes, "T-Mobile data breach: Tips to protect yourself," U.S. PIRG, August 20, 2021.
2. Chris Velazco, "Here's what to do if you think you're affected by T-Mobile's big data breach," The Washington Post, August 20, 2021.
3. Chris Velazco, "Here's what to do if you think you're affected by T-Mobile's big data breach," The Washington Post, August 20, 2021.

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