Experian, one of the leading global information services groups, experienced a significant data breach in September 2015. This breach exposed the personal information of millions of consumers due to unauthorized access to data from a server that contained information for clients, including T-Mobile. The incident was particularly concerning due to the nature of Experian's business, which involves handling sensitive personal credit information.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breach affected approximately 15 million consumers who had applied for T-Mobile services between September 2013 and September 2015.

What type of data was leaked?

The leaked data included sensitive personal information such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and identification numbers (such as driver's license, military ID, or passport numbers).

How was Experian hacked?

The breach occurred due to unauthorized access to an Experian server that hosted personal data for T-Mobile's credit application processes.

Experian’s solution

Following the breach, Experian took steps to enhance its security posture, including implementing additional security measures to prevent future incidents. The company also worked closely with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach. Experian offered affected consumers free credit monitoring and identity protection services to help mitigate the potential impact of the breach on their financial lives.

How do I know if I was affected?

Experian notified affected individuals directly about the breach. However, users can also check HaveIBeenPwned to see if their information was part of this or other data breaches.

What should affected users do?

Affected individuals should take several steps to protect their identity and credit, including:

1. Enroll in Credit Monitoring: Take advantage of the free credit monitoring services offered by Experian to stay informed of any changes in your credit report.

2. Place a Fraud Alert: Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports to make it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.

3. Monitor Financial Statements: Regularly review your financial account statements for any unauthorized transactions.

4. Secure Your Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal information and be aware of phishing attempts claiming to be related to the breach.

For more support, consumers are encouraged to contact Experian directly through their official contact channels.

Where can I go to learn more?

For additional details on the Experian data breach and guidance on protecting your personal information, please refer to the following resources:

• HaveIBeenPwned: Experian

• Krebs on Security's report on the Experian breach

• New Hampshire Department of Justice's announcement on multistate settlements

• The Guardian's article on the Experian hack affecting T-Mobile customers