Tips For Consumers Affected By Epsilon Data Breach

WALLINGFORD — A number of financial and commercial institutions are informing their customers that they have suffered a breach of customers’ privacy in what is believed to be one of the most widespread cases in history, according to Reuters News Agency.

Among those affected are clients of Citigroup, Walgreens, TiVo, Capital One, HSN, Blarclays Bank, and BJ’s.

The breach reportedly occurred when someone hacked into system files at Epsilon, which sends more than 40 billion e-mail ads and offers annually, usually to people who register for a company’s website or who give their e-mail addresses while shopping. It also handles e-mails for financial institutions.

Better Business Bureau reminds consumers:

*Don’t respond to e-mails requiring you to enter personal information in the e-mail or links.

*Don’t respond to e-mails that threaten to closure your account if you do not providing personal information immediately.

*Don’t reply to e-mails asking you to send personal information.

*Don’t use your e-mail address as a banking login ID or password.

If you receive an e-mail informing you that your information was compromised by the breach, contact the sender for more information.