Latitude Financial, a personal finance company, has suffered a significant cyber attack resulting in the theft of personal information from two service providers, affecting over 330,000 people across Australia and New Zealand. The company has taken some of its platforms offline to prevent further damage and is warning that the impact is likely to spread. The majority of the stolen information was copies of drivers' licenses or driver license numbers, with passport information and Medicare numbers also stolen but in smaller quantities.
Latitude Financial has engaged IDCARE, a not-for-profit online security expert, to support affected customers, and established a hotline to provide assistance. The company is gradually restoring its capabilities, but the attacker remains active. The incident is under investigation by the Australian Federal Police.
In response to the breach, customers are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. To prevent further breaches, Latitude Financial Services CEO Ahmed Fahour recommends using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly monitoring credit reports.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of implementing robust security measures and having a crisis management plan in place for businesses, as well as taking steps to protect personal information for individuals. By following recommended measures such as using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and keeping software up to date, individuals can reduce the risk of falling victim to a cyber attack.
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