GMO FX Service Hit by Hackers Who Publish Some Customer Data

Overview

• GMO disclosed late Monday that its foreign-exchange margin trading service suffered an unauthorized access and that an attacker warned of a noon attack on Tuesday while publishing parts of a customer record online.
• The company has taken some customer devices for forensic analysis to check for malware and to define the scope of the breach and has said it will not comply with ransom demands.
• Financial Minister Satsuki Katayama reported on Tuesday that five FX brokers linked to the incident have reported customer harm and have begun forced password resets and heightened trade monitoring.
• GMO has offered a flat 5,000 yen condolence payment to users and is considering additional payments for customers whose personal data was posted online.
• Regulators warned that leaked names, addresses and phone numbers could enable account takeovers or fraud, so brokers are urging immediate password changes and closer review of any unfamiliar trades.