Experian, a consumer credit reporting company, says it has experienced a breach of data which has exposed some personal information of as many as 24 million South Africans, and 793,749 business entities, to a suspected fraudster.<\/p>\n
“Experian has confirmed that the breach has been reported to law enforcement and the appropriate regulatory authorities,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday (19 August).<\/p>\n
“Banks have been working with Experian and South African Banking Risk Centre (SABRIC) to identify which of their customers may have been exposed to the breach and to protect their personal information, even as the investigation unfolds.”<\/p>\n
Banks and SABRIC have also been cooperating with Experian in their efforts to secure the data and ensure the perpetrators are brought to book, it said.<\/p>\n
Experian said that banks will communicate with their customers about how they may be affected by the breach and what is being done to protect them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe compromise of personal information can create opportunities for criminals to impersonate you but does not guarantee access to your banking profile or accounts. However, criminals can use this information to trick you into disclosing your confidential banking details,\u201d said SABRIC chief executive officer, Nischal Mewalall.<\/p>\n
Should you suspect that your identity has been compromised, Experian called on people to apply immediately for a free Protective Registration listing with Southern Africa Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS).<\/p>\n
This service alerts SAFPS members, which includes banks and credit providers, that your identity has been compromised and that additional care needs to be taken to confirm that they are transacting with the legitimate identity holder, Experian said.<\/p>\n
SABRIC and SAFPS urged bank customers and other consumers to follow sound identity management practices to mitigate the risk of impersonation and fraudulent applications in your name. \u201cThink of your identity information in the same way as you think of cash,” said Manie van Schalkwyk, SAFPS chief executive.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep it safe and secure at all times, because once it is compromised, it can be used by anybody, often to impersonate you.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is also recommended that bank customers follow precautionary measures, including:<\/p>\n
Experian South Africa has released a statement regarding the data breach, assuring customers that no financial data was compromised.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur investigations indicate that an individual in South Africa, purporting to represent a legitimate client, fraudulently requested services from Experian,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe services involved the release of information which is provided in the ordinary course of business or which is publicly available.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can confirm that no consumer credit or consumer financial information was obtained. Our investigations do not indicate that any misappropriated data has been used for fraudulent purposes.\u201d<\/p>\n
It added that its investigations show that the suspect had intended to use the data to create marketing leads to offer insurance and credit-related services.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have identified the suspect and confirm that Experian South Africa was successful in obtaining and executing an Anton Piller order which resulted in the individual\u2019s hardware being impounded and the misappropriated data being secured and deleted.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are continuing the legal process in this regard, including coordination with law enforcement and relevant authorities,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
Experian South Africa notified the National Credit Regulator and the Information Regulator of the incident, adding that its infrastructure, systems, and database have not been compromised.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a precaution, we advise anyone who may have concerns to regularly check their credit report,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can do this by visiting www.mycreditcheck.co.za where you can access your personal credit report for free, for life.\u201d<\/p>\n