Betfair admits data hack... after 18 months

 

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By Nicole Kobie

Posted on 30 Sep 2011 at 12:40

Gambling website Betfair has admitted its systems were attacked 18 months ago, but says it didn't warn customers on the advice of UK police.

The gambling company was hacked in March 2010, according to a report leaked to The Telegraph, but Betfair didn't notice the attack until six days later.

The report said card details of most of Betfair's users were taken, as well as 3.15 million account names with associated security access questions, 2.9 million account names with addresses, and 89,744 sets of bank account details. The report into the attack was apparently dated at the end of September 2010, just days after Betfair had announced its IPO.

The company admitted the theft, but said the data leak wasn't a threat to its customers because the stolen data was recovered.

Because of our security measures the data was unusable for fraudulent activity and we were able to recover the data intact

“Because of our security measures the data was unusable for fraudulent activity and we were able to recover the data intact," Betfair said in a statement. "At the time, we contacted all the relevant authorities and worked closely with them regarding this matter and it was established that there was no risk to customers."

A Betfair spokesperson told the Press Association that the company had not warned customers on the advice of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). The police body is currently looking into the claim.

"We have subsequently implemented all of the recommendations from the independent reports we commissioned and have done everything we can to minimise the risk of this happening again,” Betfair added.