In April 2024, Frontier Communications — one of the largest fiber-optic and DSL internet providers in the United States — suffered a cyberattack that forced the company to shut down parts of its IT infrastructure. The breach was later claimed by the RansomHub ransomware group, and Frontier confirmed that approximately 751,895 customers had their personal information stolen. If you're a current or former Frontier customer, here's what was exposed and what you should do right now to protect yourself.
What Happened?
Frontier identified the intrusion on April 14, 2024, when an unauthorized third party gained access to portions of the company's IT environment. The company shut down affected systems to contain the breach, which caused service disruptions for some customers. In June 2024, Frontier began notifying affected individuals by mail.
The RansomHub ransomware group claimed responsibility for the attack and alleged they had stolen data on over 2 million customers, though Frontier's official notification cited the lower figure of approximately 751,895 affected individuals.
What Information Was Exposed?
According to Frontier's notification, the stolen data may include:
- Full names
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Email addresses
- Phone numbers
- Physical addresses
- Credit scores (for some individuals)
- Account information
Social Security numbers were compromised
The exposure of SSNs makes this breach particularly serious. With your name, date of birth, and SSN, criminals can open credit accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, and commit other forms of identity theft. Act immediately if you were notified.
Steps to Take Right Now
1. Freeze Your Credit at All Three Bureaus
A credit freeze is the single most important step you can take. It prevents anyone from opening new credit accounts in your name, even if they have your SSN. Freezing and unfreezing your credit is free and has no effect on your credit score.
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
- Experian: experian.com/freeze/center.html
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-freeze
For a detailed walkthrough, see our guide on how to freeze your credit at all three bureaus.
2. Enroll in Free Credit Monitoring
Frontier offered affected customers one year of complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft resolution services. If you received a notification letter, follow the enrollment instructions and activation code included. Even if the free period has expired, consider continuing with a monitoring service.
3. Check Your Credit Reports
Review your credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com for any accounts or inquiries you don't recognize. Look for:
- New accounts you didn't open
- Hard inquiries you didn't authorize
- Address changes you didn't make
- Unfamiliar balances or late payments
4. Place a Fraud Alert
A fraud alert tells creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening accounts. You only need to contact one bureau — they're required to notify the other two. A fraud alert lasts one year and can be renewed.
5. Monitor for Phishing Attempts
Criminals who have your personal information often use it to craft convincing phishing emails and phone calls. Be especially wary of:
- Emails or calls claiming to be from Frontier about the breach
- Messages asking you to "verify" your account by clicking a link
- Calls from your "bank" referencing details only you should know
Frontier will never ask for your password, SSN, or payment information via email. When in doubt, contact Frontier directly using the number on your bill.
6. Change Your Passwords
Update your Frontier account password immediately, and change passwords for any other accounts where you used the same credentials. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
7. File an IRS Identity Protection PIN
Because your SSN was potentially compromised, consider obtaining an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS. This six-digit number prevents someone from filing a fraudulent tax return using your SSN. You can apply at irs.gov/ippin.
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Start your free scanLong-Term Protection
Data breach damage often unfolds over months or years, not days. Criminals may hold stolen data and use it long after the initial breach fades from the news. To stay protected:
- Keep your credit frozen until you need to apply for new credit.
- Review your credit reports at least quarterly.
- Sign up for dark web monitoring to be alerted if your information appears in underground markets.
- Consider a comprehensive data removal service to reduce the amount of personal information available about you online, making it harder for criminals to piece together your identity.
Can You Take Legal Action?
Multiple class action lawsuits have been filed against Frontier Communications following the breach. If you were affected, you may be entitled to compensation. Watch for settlement notices, and consider consulting an attorney or joining a class action if you've experienced financial harm.
Protect Yourself With PrivacyOn
After a breach like this, your personal information is more vulnerable than ever. PrivacyOn helps reduce your exposure by removing your data from 100+ data brokers and people-search sites, with continuous dark web monitoring and 24/7 alerts. The less personal information available about you online, the harder it is for criminals to exploit stolen breach data. Learn more about protecting your privacy after a data breach.