Wireless carrier T-Mobile confirms it is investigating data breach

Aug. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. wireless carrier T-Mobile said Monday it is investigating a cybersecurity incident and has determined that unauthorized access to "some" of its data had occurred.

In a cybersecurity update, the carrier said that while a breach indeed happened, "we have not yet determined that there is any personal customer data involved."

The update confirmed a Vice News report published Sunday that T-Mobile was investigating offers made on an underground forum by someone claiming to be selling huge amounts of data allegedly obtained from the carrier.

The seller told the publication they had illegally obtained data related to more 100 million people from T-Mobile servers, such as Social Security numbers, phone numbers, names, physical addresses, unique International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers and driver license information.

T-Mobile is the second-largest wireless carrier in the United States, with 104.8 million subscribers as of the end of the second quarter of this year.

In its update, the company said it couldn't confirm the validity of the published claims.

"We are confident that the entry point used to gain access has been closed, and we are continuing our deep technical review of the situation across our systems to identify the nature of any data that was illegally accessed," it said.

"This investigation will take some time but we are working with the highest degree of urgency. Until we have completed this assessment we cannot confirm the reported number of records affected or the validity of statements made by others."

Company officials said they are "working around the clock" to investigate the claims.

"We take the protection of our customers very seriously and we are conducting an extensive analysis alongside digital forensic experts to understand the validity of these claims, and we are coordinating with law enforcement," they added.