BIRMINGHAM– A data breach exposed account information belonging to some Alabama Power and Georgia Power customers. Their parent company, Southern Company, is notifying affected customers and offering one year of free credit monitoring.

WBRC reported Monday, Oct. 5, that the breach affected roughly 100,000 Alabama Power accounts, citing Southern Company. In addition, WSB-TV reported about 300,000 affected Georgia Power accounts. Both stations reported approximately 400,000 affected Southern Company customer accounts overall.

The company’s notices say an unauthorized third party accessed limited information through its online customer portal. That information could include names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and other basic account details. It also could include the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

However, the company says the accessed information did not include bank account, payment-card, or driver’s license numbers.

Southern Company says it immediately addressed the issue and notified law enforcement. In addition, its review found no evidence of ongoing unauthorized access, the company says. Its investigation continues, while personnel and technology monitor systems around the clock.

The notices also identify affected accounts at Mississippi Power.

Notifications and Assistance

Affected customers will receive an email and/or U.S. mail notification. Those notices also explain enrollment in free credit monitoring through Equifax.

Both utilities list 1-800-900-6021 as their dedicated assistance line, available Monday through Friday. However, neither notice specifies when the unauthorized access occurred.

Protecting Your Information

Southern Company also recommends changing reused passwords and reviewing accounts for unusual activity.

Separately, Alabama Power and Georgia Power warn customers about fraudulent calls, texts, and websites. Because unfamiliar messages may come from impostors, customers should verify communications through their utility’s official website or phone numbers.

If a text or email seems suspicious, avoid its links. Instead, visit alabamapower.com or georgiapower.com directly and use the account login option.

The Federal Trade Commission also identifies credit freezes as a way to help prevent new-account identity theft. A freeze is free, but consumers must contact all three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

In addition, consumers can obtain free credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com. Reviewing those reports can help identify unfamiliar accounts or other signs of identity theft, according to the FTC.

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