Is your data in danger? Major Pizza Hut Australia breach reveals customers' personal information
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These days, keeping up with the internet and technology definitely has its upsides. It’s easier than ever to keep in touch with your family, and you can also order necessities, such as food, online.
However, no matter how convenient technology can be, we can’t ignore the risks that are present when it comes to handing out our information online.
Customers of Pizza Hut Australia were recently met with this exact issue, as the famous food chain’s operations were recently hit with a cyber-attack.
This hacking incident has led to a potential customer data breach, including personal details like delivery addresses and order specifics stolen as a result of the incident.
You might be thinking, 'Who cares if the hacker knows I order double pepperoni every Friday night?' but it's worth mentioning that the breach may have extended to encrypted credit card numbers and passwords.
Pizza Hut Australia's Chief Executive, Phil Reed, broke the news to customers via email on Wednesday, September 20, confirming that they were aware of an ‘unauthorised third party’ accessing their data since early September.
'We secured our systems, engaged forensic and cybersecurity specialists, and initiated an ongoing investigation to help us understand what occurred and identify the data that was impacted,' Reed stated.
Pizza Hut Australia has stated that approximately 193,000 customers have been affected by the breach, but they didn't disclose how far back the accessed information dates to.
‘We have contacted these customers to advise them of the incident and the steps they can take to protect their information and avoid potential scams,’ a spokesperson for Pizza Hut Australia confirmed.
The company has reported the incident to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and assured consumers that their operations were not affected by the incident.
A data breaches website reported previously that they had accessed a sample of the customer data from the hackers, which aligns with the types of data obtained from Pizza Hut.
Currently, the pizza chain has 260 stores nationwide.
In June, Pizza Hut Australia was sold to the US-based Flynn Restaurant Group by the Australian private equity firm Allegro Funds after a restructuring of the business.
Steps to take if your personal information has been compromised
Members, if you've found yourself in this cyber pickle, don't panic. Here are some tips for managing the situation so you can get back to peacefully enjoying your double cheese and mushroom delight without the extra topping of worry.
First, change your passwords. Not just for Pizza Hut Australia, but for all your potentially compromised accounts. Make your new password unpredictable, including a unique amalgamation of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
Next up, monitor your financial transactions. Always be alert, especially when it comes to any unknown orders, and report any suspicious activities to your bank immediately.
Lastly, be cautious of odd emails, messages, or calls asking for more personal information. That could be the hacker’s second attempt to access your information. Ignore suspicious phone calls or messages and report odd emails to Scamwatch here.
Remember, members, your personal information is as precious as that first bite of a piping hot pizza.
As we've always said, stay informed, stay vigilant, and keep your cyber security tight!
Don’t forget, you can always access our Scam Watch forum, where members share stories and tips on how to avoid being victims of scams.
What do you think of this story, members? Have you ordered from Pizza Hut recently? Let us know in the comments below!
However, no matter how convenient technology can be, we can’t ignore the risks that are present when it comes to handing out our information online.
Customers of Pizza Hut Australia were recently met with this exact issue, as the famous food chain’s operations were recently hit with a cyber-attack.
This hacking incident has led to a potential customer data breach, including personal details like delivery addresses and order specifics stolen as a result of the incident.
You might be thinking, 'Who cares if the hacker knows I order double pepperoni every Friday night?' but it's worth mentioning that the breach may have extended to encrypted credit card numbers and passwords.
A cyber-attack has hit Pizza Hut since early September. Credit: Rusty Todaro/Shutterstock
Pizza Hut Australia's Chief Executive, Phil Reed, broke the news to customers via email on Wednesday, September 20, confirming that they were aware of an ‘unauthorised third party’ accessing their data since early September.
'We secured our systems, engaged forensic and cybersecurity specialists, and initiated an ongoing investigation to help us understand what occurred and identify the data that was impacted,' Reed stated.
Pizza Hut Australia has stated that approximately 193,000 customers have been affected by the breach, but they didn't disclose how far back the accessed information dates to.
‘We have contacted these customers to advise them of the incident and the steps they can take to protect their information and avoid potential scams,’ a spokesperson for Pizza Hut Australia confirmed.
The company has reported the incident to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and assured consumers that their operations were not affected by the incident.
A data breaches website reported previously that they had accessed a sample of the customer data from the hackers, which aligns with the types of data obtained from Pizza Hut.
Currently, the pizza chain has 260 stores nationwide.
In June, Pizza Hut Australia was sold to the US-based Flynn Restaurant Group by the Australian private equity firm Allegro Funds after a restructuring of the business.
Steps to take if your personal information has been compromised
Members, if you've found yourself in this cyber pickle, don't panic. Here are some tips for managing the situation so you can get back to peacefully enjoying your double cheese and mushroom delight without the extra topping of worry.
First, change your passwords. Not just for Pizza Hut Australia, but for all your potentially compromised accounts. Make your new password unpredictable, including a unique amalgamation of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
Next up, monitor your financial transactions. Always be alert, especially when it comes to any unknown orders, and report any suspicious activities to your bank immediately.
Lastly, be cautious of odd emails, messages, or calls asking for more personal information. That could be the hacker’s second attempt to access your information. Ignore suspicious phone calls or messages and report odd emails to Scamwatch here.
Remember, members, your personal information is as precious as that first bite of a piping hot pizza.
As we've always said, stay informed, stay vigilant, and keep your cyber security tight!
Don’t forget, you can always access our Scam Watch forum, where members share stories and tips on how to avoid being victims of scams.
What do you think of this story, members? Have you ordered from Pizza Hut recently? Let us know in the comments below!
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