Bell is a significant theft of personal data in Canada

The personal information of hundreds of Bell Canada customers and employees was stolen in a cyberattack in late August.

It’s a subsidiary of a company called Bell Technical Solutions, which was hit by hackers, according to a cyber security alert posted by Bell Canada. This division handles installations for residential and small business customers.

Our investigation bureau was able to observe the content published by the cybercriminals this Thursday afternoon. Dark web A host of documents containing particularly sensitive information.

The documents include a database of nearly 900 employees with extensive personal information including name, date of birth, home address and telephone number.

Copies of canceled checks used for payroll, copies of medical notes, and internal notices of suspension and dismissal are also available.

Customers’ information was also stolen.

“An unauthorized individual gained access to information including the name, address and telephone number of residential and small business customers in Quebec and Ontario who had scheduled a technician visit,” Bell explains in its security alert, without estimating the number of victims.

“We want to assure you that no database containing customer information such as credit and debit card numbers, banking information and other financial data was accessed during the incident,” the telecommunications giant continues.

The company says it will conduct its research “with the help of third-party cybersecurity experts” in addition to implementing solutions to further strengthen security. [ses] systems.”

This cyberattack is part of a long series of such incidents that have targeted Quebec companies over the years. As recently as Thursday, the city of Laval said the cyberattack caused a major disruption to its computer services.

In July, our investigation bureau revealed that Collège Montmorency in Laval was also a victim of hackers and that personal information was for sale. Dark web.

In collaboration with Philippe Langlois