A huge part of modern-day customer service is the chat functionality, which allows customers to converse easily with representatives of the organization in order to find a solution to their problem. This chat functionality is often a service offered by a third-party provider. And just last week, one of these service providers, [24]7.ai, reported that an unspecified cyberattack affected online payment data collected by a “small number of our client companies.” A few of these companies include Delta Airlines, Sears, Kmart, and Best Buy.
The breach was the result of an unspecified malware attack on the service’s chat tool, which occurred between Sept. 26 and Oct. 12, 2017. The malware permitted cybercriminals to obtain unauthorized access to customer data, including payment card numbers, CVV numbers, and expiration dates, in addition to customers’ names and addresses.
Delta Airlines, Sears, Kmart, and Best Buy all have not yet determined how many customers have been impacted so far. But it is believed to be totaling up to hundreds of thousands. So, for those who have been affected – what are the next steps? Start by following these security tips here:
- Place a Fraud Alert. If you know your data has been compromised, place a fraud alert on your credit so that any new or recent requests undergo scrutiny. This also entitles you to extra copies of your credit report, so you can check for anything suspicious. If you find an account you did not open, report it to the police or Federal Trade Commission, as well as the creditor involved so you can close the fraudulent account. Then, make sure you correct your credit report by filing a dispute with each of the three credit bureaus.
- Freeze Your Credit. This allows you to seal your credit reports so no one else can take out new accounts or loans in your name. You can do this without impacting your existing lines of credit, such as credit cards. If you want to apply for services or open new accounts, you can temporarily “unfreeze” your credit using a personal identification code only you have.
- Consider an identity theft protection solution. With these breaches, consumers are faced with the possibility of identity theft. McAfee Identity Theft Protection allows users to take a proactive approach to protecting their identities with personal and financial monitoring and recovery tools to help keep their identities personal and secured.
And, of course, to stay on top of the latest consumer and mobile security threats, be sure to follow me and @McAfee_Home on Twitter, listen to our podcast Hackable? and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.
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