Email Service Provider Epsilon Hacked

Email service provider Epsilon disclosed that a hacker accessed its client accounts.

The BCC said today the breach could potentially affect millions of email addresses. Epsilon sends more than 40 billion email messages on behalf of its 2,500 clients each year.

Epsilon, in an April 1 statement on its website, said it discovered that a “subset of Epsilon clients’ customer data were exposed by an authorized entry” into its email system. “The information that was obtained was limited to email addresses and/or customer names only. A rigorous assessment determined that no other personal identifiable information associated with those names was at risk,” Epsilon stated.

Epsilon did not disclose the names of the companies affected by the breach.

The BBC said many Epsilon customers have been contacted about the hack. Those companies, such as TiVo, Best Buy, and Capital One, are alerting their customers to beware of email messages requesting more personal information.

Disney Destination was also notified, according to the Orlando Sun-Sentinel. Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez told the newspaper that Disney officials are “disappointed” that someone was able to get access to some of their guests’ e-mail addresses.

“I cannot comment beyond what’s posted on the website,” said Jessica Simon, an Epsilon spokeswoman, when asked if the breach could potentially affect millions of email addresses. “We’re conducting a full investigation and cooperating with authorities.”