Breach Database / Flashback
Yes — Flashback was breached.
- 40,256 accounts affected
- Breach occurred 2015-02-11 · flashback.se
- Verified entry in the Have I Been Pwned catalog
What happened
In February 2015, the Swedish forum known as Flashback had sensitive internal data on 40k members published via the tabloid newspaper Aftonbladet. The data was allegedly sold to them via Researchgruppen (The Research Group) who have a history of exposing otherwise anonymous users, primarily those who they believe participate in "troll like" behaviour. The compromised data includes social security numbers, home and email addresses.
What data was exposed
- Email addresses
- Government issued IDs
- Physical addresses
What to do right now
- Freeze your credit. A credit freeze at the major bureaus is free and blocks new accounts from being opened in your name.
- Watch for targeted phishing mail. A leaked home address makes postal and doorstep scams more convincing.
- Expect convincing phishing emails. Attackers use breached details to write personalized emails. Be suspicious of any message referencing this service.
- Check your other accounts on Have I Been Pwned. Your email address may appear in other breaches you don't know about yet.
- Monitor the apps you use going forward. Clearly watches the breach record for the companies behind your apps and alerts you the moment one appears.
Breach data from Have I Been Pwned. Listing here means the service appears in the public breach record — not that your personal data was affected.