A data breach at Bell Canada appears to have compromised customer names and email addresses, with the RCMP launching an investigation into the incident, according to reports.
The firm has confirmed that hackers were able to illegally obtain the data, but there is currently “no indication that any credit card, banking or other information” was accessed. Bell Canada spokesman Nathan Gibson told Canadian press that “fewer than 100,000 customers were affected.”
Bell Canada has emailed impacted customers to alert them of the situation and with John Watson, customer experience, stating that “additional security authentication and identification requirements have been implemented” to accounts.
“The protection of customer and corporate information is of primary importance to Bell,” the email continued. “We work closely with the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies, government bodies and the broader technology industry to combat the growth of cybercrimes.”
Stephanie Dumoulin, RCMP spokesperson at the police force’s national division in Ottawa, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, advised that she was unable to discuss details.
“We are following up with Bell to obtain information regarding what took place and what they are doing to mitigate the situation, and to determine follow up actions,” said the federal privacy watchdog’s spokeswoman Tobi Cohen.