Fake site targeting victims of Odido data leak with compensation scam
A website is actively approaching victims of the Odido data breach, inviting them to join a mass claim against the telecom company for a one-off payment of €50. The site has plenty of red flags indicating that this is a scam, the Consumentenbond told RTL Z.
Last week, Odido announced that hackers had gained access to the personal data of 6.2 million current and former Odido clients. This week, an RTL Z editor received an email asking if he was one of the many affected by the Odido data breach. “You may be entitled to significant compensation. We will help with your claim,” the email read, with a link to the website odidoschadeschade.nl.
The website invites victims to fill out a form with their information and pay €49.99 to join the mass claim. It also has a group discount for “five friends,” who will have to pay €24.99 each. The website offers victims between €500 and €1,500 compensation per person.
According to spokesperson Mirjam de Witte of the Consumentenbond, the website contains many indications that this is a scam by someone trying to capitalize on the situation. For one thing, it is still far too early to file a compensation claim. “Much remains to be determined about what exactly happened.”
“There is also no Chamber of Commerce number on the website, there are no comprehensive terms and conditions, and claims organizations don’t charge standard costs for processing claims upfront,” De Witte added.
The website also contains incorrect information about the Odido data breach. For example, it states that the hackers gained access to customers’ call history and internet usage, which is incorrect. According to Odido, the cyber criminals stole names, addresses, bank account numbers, and passport numbers, and not call or internet data.
The consumers’ association urged people to be wary. “Wherever there’s money to be made, people will take advantage of it,” spokesperson De Witte said.
