Fergie's Tech Blog

Verizon Gaffe Lets 5,000 Customer Details Slip

Joris Evers writes on C|Net News:

Verizon Wireless this week accidentally distributed a file with limited details on more than 5,000 customers outside the company, potentially giving identity thieves a toehold.

The Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file was e-mailed on Monday and includes names, e-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and cell phone model of 5,210 Verizon Wireless customers, going by a copy of the file obtained by CNET News.com. All of the customers have Motorola RAZR phones, according to the spreadsheet.

The spreadsheet was inadvertently sent to about 1,800 people, all Verizon Wireless subscribers, according to a follow-up e-mail apologizing for the gaffe that the mobile carrier sent on Thursday. The Excel file was attached to an ad for a Bluetooth wireless headset, instead of the electronic order form that was supposed to be sent.

posted by Fergie @ 8/25/2006 05:52:00 PM