Millions Exposed: Ticketmaster & Santander Hacks – How to Protect Yourself

Ticketmaster and Santander bank recently suffered major data breaches, potentially impacting over 590 million customers. While the source of the attack is debated, experts warn it highlights the dangers of interconnected systems.

What data was exposed?
Reports suggest hackers gained access to 30 million people’s bank account details, 6 million account numbers and balances, 28 million credit card numbers from Santander as well as names, emails and phone numbers from both Ticketmaster and Santander. However, the details leaked from Santander only affect customers in Chile, Spain and Uruguay not the UK.

How to minimise the fallout:

• Change your passwords: Update your passwords for Ticketmaster, Santander, and more importantly if you have used the same password for any other online accounts, these will need to be changed urgently. Use strong, unique passwords for each site. Consider a password manager for help.
• Beware phishing scams: Scammers may exploit the breach with emails or calls pretending to be from these companies. Never click links or share personal information unless you verify the sender’s legitimacy, this could be through visiting the website directly through Google rather than clicking any links.
• Monitor your accounts: Regularly check bank statements and credit card reports for suspicious activity and notify your bank if you do see anything out of the ordinary. Early detection can help minimise damage.
• Enable multifactor authentication (MFA): This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone or email in addition to your password.

Stay informed: Both Ticketmaster and Santander should be contacting affected customers. Keep an eye out for official communication and follow their recommendations, after verifying that the person you are in contact with is a legitimate employee by phoning the official business number to confirm.

By staying vigilant and taking these precautions, you can help mitigate the risks associated with this data breach.