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A UK PHONE company has received a ransom demand from an unknown individual or group.
This follows the mass theft of customers’ data from TalkTalk’s website.
The theft was reported to the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday but the ransom demand was only received this evening.
Earlier, the head of TalkTalk Dido Harding confirmed to the BBC that the company has been contacted by the individual or group taking responsibility for the attack and seeking payment.
It is understood that the personal financial information of potentially millions of customers has been compromised.
An investigation has been opened into the matter by the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit.
In a statement this evening, Detective Superintendent Jayne Snellgrove said, “TalkTalk have done everything right in bringing this matter to our attention as soon as possible.
We are aware of speculation regarding alleged perpetrators; this investigation remains at an early stage; a full assessment of the alleged data theft is ongoing.
TalkTalk / TwitterCustomers worried about the #TalkTalk #CyberAttack can get 12 months of free credit monitoring alerts here https://t.co/iPKHPuKkYD
— TalkTalk (@TalkTalk) October 23, 2015
Anyone experiencing difficulty with the matter has been directed towards a help section on TalkTalk’s website.
The company’s CEO said earlier that a worst-case scenario was that all its customers’ data had been compromised.
TalkTalk previously employed 575 individuals at a call centre in Waterford, until its closure in 2011.
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It took a while for them to make the ransom demand. They were 90 mins on hold before being put through to someone in Bangalore who suggested they switch it on and off again
But their call was important to talk talk
judging by that pic, Dildo Hardon don’t seem non too worried
de do do dat do don’t De dido. in scouse accent
Couldn’t happen to a nicer company
seem to remember this lot holding a lot of workers to ransom in the south east a couple of years ago. ….immoral money grabbers. …No sympathy for them
it’s their customers I’d have sympathy for, not the company .
Talk Talk talks too much.
They’ll have a flood of ransom demands now. Great strategy.
at this rate..most people will withdraw from using the internet, except for e-mails and such. Thats what it was designed for anyway.
I have two bank accounts.
My main one and one for accessing internet transactions.
Could be wrong, I’m no techie, but makes me feel secure about purchasing online.
tommy…i’ll give you a call in the morning…wink wink wink
No Jenni.
The Internet was designed so people could communicate. It’s not free, but it’s cheaper than a phone call or a stamp.
Give us just the main one!
exactly Paul..it was designed as an alternative to letters and telegrams and phone calls.
Gonna be 575 people in Waterford smiling about this :)
dont pay a penny..whats the worst they can do?
If they have the financial information of customers wouldn’t it create a huge problem regards phishing etc?
Don;t know how deep a breach it was but persona information is hugely valuable on the black market.
There CEO also nixxers at the weekend as the stunt double for all of one direction.
The suspects are said to match the description of the Big Bang theory cast members.
have your say