Average condo price toronto . The customer’s personal data may be disclosed. Living Realty, a real estate agency based in the city of Wanjin, recently warned clients that their personal information may have been stolen as a result of a cyber attack last November.
In a letter dated Jan. 14, the company warned that the hackers had obtained access to sale and purchase agreements, mortgage approvals, cheques, driver’s license, passport information, social security number (SIN) and forms submitted by real estate agents to the Canadian Financial transactions and reporting Analysis Center (FINTRAC), which tracks and prevents money laundering.
“the hacker attack may have been caused by the disclosure of an employee’s password, which is then used to access our system,” the company’s notice said. ” Living Realty did not respond to emails or phone interviews from the Star.
According to a lawsuit received by the Ontario High Court, the company’s database information is at least five years old, the Star said.
As for the lawsuit, it was filed by a customer who received a warning letter. The client sold an apartment in downtown Toronto in May 2015 and bought a house in Wanjin that summer.
The lawsuit alleges that Living Realty failed to comply with privacy regulations and failed to protect the guest’s personal information.
Ted Charney, a lawyer representing the client, said he would file a class action and represent other people whose information had been leaked after the class action was certified.
“I think the customer information leaked this time is very sensitive,” Charney said in a press release. If used improperly, it may be used for identity fraud, property fraud, mortgage fraud, or damage to credit. “
Living Realty’s letter to customers does not provide any credit monitoring to affected customers, but advises them to monitor their credit reports and account reconciliations for up to three years.
The Star reported that the Ontario Real Estate Association (RECO), the real estate industry regulator, did not disclose whether privacy leaks in the industry occur frequently.
At the same time, the Office of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner confirmed that Living Realty had been contacted and requested more information in order to decide on the next steps.