Privacy warning: Verizon leaked customers' personal info
How much personal data do you typically share with customer support agents? If you’ve spoken with Verizon by chat recently, you might want to double-check what you’ve shared — because your private chats may have already been leaked.
When data leaks occur, it’s not always the fault of hackers. Sometimes, it’s simple human error or negligence that leads to password resets, stolen identities and drained bank accounts. Tap or click here to see how bad it can get when payment information is leaked online.
If you need customer support from Verizon, you should call by phone for the time being. Not only has personal information been found in the leak, but the data is also showing up in other customers’ chat windows!
A weirdly specific glitch with potentially dangerous consequences
Verizon customers using online chat support to get more information about Fios services may see some unusual activity in their chat window thanks to a bizarre glitch discovered by Ars Technica.
The issue appears to be caused by a software glitch related to chat histories. It’s only affecting customers who ask for FiOS availability in their area and comes in the form of addresses, phone numbers and sometimes account numbers belonging to other customers.
To make matters worse, the chat agents interacting with customers appear to have no idea what’s going on. Ars Technica reported its findings to Verizon, and the company released a statement to warn customers about the risks they face.
We’re looking into an issue involving our online chat system that assists individuals who are checking on the availability of Fios services. We believe a small number of users may have seen a name, phone number, and/or a home or building address from an unrelated individual who had previously used this chat system to enter that information. Since the issue was brought to our attention, we’ve identified and isolated the problem and are working to have it resolved as quickly as possible.
Verizon
It’s not clear how long the leak has been happening. Screenshots show dates spanning several months. There are also reports that the issue is still occurring for some customers, but the number of incidents appears to have decreased.
I used the Verizon chat feature. What should I do?
If you’ve only used Verizon’s online chat for technical support, you’re probably safe. For now, the issue only appears to be affecting customers asking about FiOS service in their area.
Get Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, Spotify free if you have these phone providers
Looking for something new to watch? Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to do with so many streaming services and options available. There’s only one catch: Those of us that want it all have to pay out the ear for it.
Because of exclusive content and streaming rights, cord-cutters end up paying close to what a full-fledged cable subscription costs just to get all the best streaming services. But if you play your cards right, you don’t have to break the bank. Tap or click here to see the best streaming options for any budget.
Internet providers will keep you connected, even if you can't pay your bill
We’re more reliant than ever on the internet to keep up with what’s going on in the world — especially in the face of a global pandemic like what we’re experiencing with the coronavirus.
There is plenty of solid information online to help track the spreading of the virus, along with what to do if you’re feeling symptoms. Tap or click here for ways to get a coronavirus assessment without leaving home.
3 ways to send text messages from your PC
Ever sit down at your computer to get some work done, only to have several texts pop up on your smartphone? It’s impossible to accomplish anything when you’re constantly looking at your phone. Let the frustrations begin.
Money-saving tip: Find the best wireless plan for you
There are so many options available when it comes to wireless plans and deciding which one is best for you can be overwhelming. Do you need a single line or a family plan? Will you be utilizing streaming services and using lots of data or are you a data minimalist?
Americans received a shocking number of robocalls last year - how to stop them
Robocalls have long since been a plague for Americans, but it reached a whole new level in 2019. It got so bad even wireless carriers and the U.S. government reached a breaking point.
But even with new tools and a law that gives the FCC more power to combat the calls, they just keep coming. Tap or click here to learn more about the TRACED Act that was recently signed into law.
This new search engine's focus is privacy, but will it really protect you?
Verizon is one of the biggest companies in the United States, and oversees numerous other businesses we’re all familiar with. It’s Yahoo’s parent company and owns AOL, Engadget, TechCrunch and more.
As you can see, the company isn’t averse to trying out new things. It even managed to cut a deal with Disney that gives Verizon subscribers a year of Disney+ at no additional cost. Tap or click to learn how to get Disney+ for free if you’re on Verizon Wireless.
Google offers cheap cellular service? Here are the facts about Google Fi
Go ahead and name some big companies offering cellular service. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint probably came to mind. Now, you can add Google to that list.
Google recently announced that Fi SIM cards would be available for purchase in more than 500 Best Buy stores across the country.
FTC shuts down 4 telemarketers responsible for billions of illegal robocalls
