TalkTalk website hit by 'significant and sustained' cyber-attack
A police investigation has been launched after the TalkTalk website was hit by a 'significant and sustained' cyber attack, with a 'chance' that customers' credit card and bank details have been accessed, the company says.
In a statement on their website, TalkTalk said that the Metropolitan Police's cyber crime unit was investigating the attack, which took place on Wednesday.
Customers have been advised to change passwords and to be vigilant with online banking and wary of unexpected phone calls and emails.
The following data may have been accessed by hackers:
Names
Addresses
Date of Birth
Credit Card details and/or bank details
Email addresses
Telephone numbers
TalkTalk account information
What to do if you're a TalkTalk customer
TalkTalk say they will contact customers to let them know what has happened and will keep users up to date.
If any unusual account activity occurs, TalkTalk says customers should contact their Bank and Action Fraud immediately.
Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud and internet crime reporting centre, and they can be reached on 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk.
The Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit released a short statement confirming they are investigating an allegation of data theft.
This is the third in a spate of cyber attacks affecting TalkTalk customers.
In August the company revealed its mobile sales site was hit by a "sophisticated and co-ordinated cyber attack" in which personal data was breached by criminals.
And in February TalkTalk customers were warned about scammers who managed to steal thousands of account numbers and names from the company's computers.
The theft of data was discovered when TalkTalk investigated a surge in complaints from customers about scam calls between October and December 2014.