T-Mobile USA's servers breached, subscriber data stolen?
by Chris Ziegler 
posted Jun 7th 2009 at 6:07PM
T-Mobile has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but word on the street is that hackers have found their way into T-Mobile USA's inner workings and made off with a treasure trove of information, including subscriber data, which would make sense considering that parts of T-Mobile's website have been down for most of the day today. The exact nature of the breach is unclear, but the alleged hackers say they "have everything, their databases, confidential [sic] documents, scripts and programs from their servers, financial documents up to 2009." They go on to say that they've been in touch with the carrier's competitors trying to sell the data, but have (thankfully) been turned away, so now they're looking to hawk it to the highest bidder. If this is legit, we can't imagine that trying to sell the data in a public forum is the wisest plan -- but then again, we're not criminal masterminds, so maybe this is standard operating procedure. Here's hoping they're brought down quickly and T-Mob gets to the bottom of the breach.[Via Slashdot]
Update: We've gotten an official comment from T-Mobile, and in brief, they're actively looking into the claim but can't confirm or deny whether it's actually happened. "The protection of our customers' information, and the safety and security of our systems, is absolutely paramount at T-Mobile. Regarding the recent claim, we are fully investigating the matter. As is our standard practice, if there is any evidence that customer information has been compromised, we would inform those affected as soon as possible."
Filed under: T-Mobile
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Omagus @ Jun 7th 2009 6:48PM
Holy crap. I would say more but I have to admit that I really don't know how this will affect me.
wako @ Jun 8th 2009 12:13AM
If you are a Tmobile customer, it just means you might see that you applied to several credit cards or took out several loans, and the creditors will be asking you for money
kenneth alan @ Jun 7th 2009 7:21PM
I also have no idea what this means for T-mobile or how it will affect me, but I think the solution is to eliminate the early termination fees haha. C'mon T-mobile, I hate you, and want to get the next Iphone so let me cancel for free.
Anthony @ Jun 7th 2009 7:56PM
Good luck w/ that. We live in a dead zone. T-Mobile admits this (worked great till our move). Have called 5-7 times, had technicians out. Nothing. They *still* won't let us out of our contract.
shivers316 @ Jun 7th 2009 7:24PM
I think that if this story proves true, T-Mo will have no choice but to waive the ETF. This is a BIG deal.
Firewarrior @ Jun 7th 2009 7:28PM
Probably BS.
kenneth alan @ Jun 7th 2009 7:30PM
I just returned a phone a few weeks ago to T-Mobile and they owe me $500... this whole hacking thing better not mess up something because t-mobile WILL be paying me my $500.
Firewarrior @ Jun 7th 2009 7:59PM
What? You returned a phone and they owe you $500? What?
kennethalan @ Jun 7th 2009 8:04PM
i bought the sidekick lx 2009 for $500 online and then i returned it before the 14 days was up so tmobile owes me my money. I know it won't be the full $500 but its four hundred something.
Galen20K @ Jun 7th 2009 7:34PM
This Story is Fake plain and Simple.
Enigma @ Jun 7th 2009 7:37PM
All the better to go Prepaid with a phoney name/location hahahahahaha
thus no real personal info to steal :) no SSN's to grab hahahaha
WhatADouche @ Jun 7th 2009 8:08PM
Sounds like a good idea in theory. I'm with Omagus on this one, though.
jonshipman @ Jun 7th 2009 10:58PM
Good thing I don't have auto pay through t-mo. That could have been a doozy.
yalda @ Jun 8th 2009 12:11AM
This doesn't sound entirely false. Lately, BIS Email setup @ bwc.tmobile.com from the phone has been acting ridiculous (Chicago, IL). The website has only been loading into a Suzuki car ad and sometimes into a picture of some kid.
Steven @ Jun 8th 2009 12:48PM
Tier 2 t-mobile hasn't heard a peep about this... Another third party danger-type hack? Maybe... Not our internal network though,,,
Murbot @ Jun 8th 2009 2:55PM
I work at a Gov't campus and setup a few Blackberries every week. We use ATT, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. For years now, T-Mobile has provided the poorest service and customer service. Their record keeping has been horrible so maybe there isn't much to worry about.
We all know by now that any service can be horrible at times, but when customer service is repeatedly under par, there's an issue.
I called for assistance with T-Moblie last week and before even speaking in depth with anyone about the issue, was disconnected, put on hold and then disconnected, transfered and disconnected and directed to weblinks that go to "Page cannot be displayed". I reported a number of other technical issues with their site last week and they seemed blow them off as though they were aware, but couldn't care less. Maybe if the phone techs were trained to follow up on customer reports instead of just saying they will, the developers could've prevented this attack.
In the DC area as long as you don't select one of the freebie phones from a deal to sign up, the services tend to work best in this order, though Verizon is closing in. Don't be cheap, get a decent device when you get a phone. You'll regret not spending an extra $100 later on when you can never get a signal.
ATT
Verizon
Sprint
T-Mobile
Firtch @ Jun 8th 2009 6:30PM
"Maybe if the phone techs were trained to follow up on customer reports instead of just saying they will, the developers could've prevented this attack."
Yes, and maybe if the employees at the DMV were trained to not mumble under their breath, the public school systems would be better. WHAT?!!
The "server list" that they released is reported to be at least two years old.