90k Audi customers and potential buyers saw their sensitive data affected

auto-383897_640

Almost all those affected by the Volkswagen data breach were current or potential customers of Audi. (Credit: Jan-Marco Gessinger from Pixabay)

Volkswagen Group of America said that a data breach at a vendor had affected over 3.3 million customers and potential buyers in North America.

According to the Volkswagen North American subsidiary, almost all those impacted by the data breach were current or potential customers of the luxury car brand Audi.

The automaker said that an unauthorised third party could get limited personal information about customers and prospective buyers from a vendor that was used by its Audi Volkswagen brands and certain US and Canadian dealers for marketing and digital sales.

The information was obtained between 2014 and 2019 for marketing and sales and was in an electronic file, which was left unsecured by the vendor.

Volkswagen Group of America informed regulators that only phone numbers and email addresses of a vast majority of customers were possibly affected by the data breach.

In certain cases, the data that was leaked also included information pertaining to vehicle purchased, leased, or that had been inquired for.

The car manufacturer said that 90,000 Audi customers and potential buyers had their sensitive data affected, which is related to purchase or lease eligibility. Volkswagen Group of America said that it will provide free credit protection services to the impacted individuals.

In over 95% of the cases, the sensitive data included driver license numbers. On the other hand, a small number of records had additional data such as dates of birth, account numbers, and social security numbers, said the company.

The car manufacturer believes that sensitive information is not involved in the data breach for its Canadian customers. Over 3.1 million customers impacted are in the US.

Volkswagen USA stated: “We regret any inconvenience this may cause our current or potential customers.

“As always, we recommend that individuals remain alert for suspicious emails or other communications that might ask them to provide information about themselves or their vehicle.”