Electric and gas utility CenterPoint Energy warns of data breach after dark web post
CenterPoint Energy, a major electric and gas utility, has been warned of a data breach after a dark web post claimed stolen customer data. The company confirmed hackers accessed customer information via an external system, though service delivery wasn't disrupted. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the breach and affected individuals. This follows a similar breach last year involving a file-sharing platform.
CenterPoint Energy, a large electric and gas utility serving customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas, has been notified of a data breach following a dark web post. The company revealed that hackers gained access to customer information through one of its external-facing systems. According to the company’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the incident is currently under investigation, and they are working with third-party experts to assess the extent of the breach and identify all affected customers. The dark web post claimed that approximately 7.5 million records were stolen, containing customer names, account details, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers, along with billing information. CenterPoint Energy stated that despite the breach, the delivery of electric and gas services has not been impacted. The company has reported the incident to law enforcement and intends to notify affected customers and regulatory authorities as required by law. This incident follows a similar data breach in 2023 involving a file-sharing platform. CenterPoint Energy reported a net income of $244 million in the second quarter, providing power and natural gas to 7 million customers.