T-Mobile Data Breached Through Experian Servers

Experian North America announced today that a company server containing data for T-Mobile USA was breached, releasing personal information of about 15 million of the cell phone company’s U.S. customer applicants.

The data lost included names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security numbers and other forms of identification such as a driver’s license number, according to company officials, who said the breach didn’t impact Experian’s consumer credit database.

Also lost was data used in T-Mobile’s own credit assessment.

The information was from people who applied for T-Mobile USA post-paid services or device financing from Sept. 1, 2013, through Sept. 16 of this year, according to Experian.

Experian -- which didn’t reveal from what company unit the information was gleaned -- said it was in the process of notifying consumers that may be affected.

“We take privacy very seriously and we understand that this news is both stressful and frustrating,” Experian North America Chief Executive Officer Craig Boundy said.

“We sincerely apologize for the concern and stress that this event may cause,” he said. “That’s why we’re taking steps to provide protection and support to those affected by this incident and will continue to coordinate with law enforcement during its investigation.”

For additional information, go to www.experian.com/T-MobileFacts.

-City News Service; Wikimedia Commons