Odido Hack 2026: Phishing Attack Exposes 6.2 Million Customer Records

In one of the largest data breaches in Dutch history, telecommunications giant Odido has confirmed that hackers gained access to sensitive customer data affecting approximately 6.2 million people through a sophisticated phishing attack that targeted customer service representatives. The February 2026 breach represents a significant escalation in social engineering tactics, with criminals posing as the company's own IT department to bypass security measures.

What Happened in the Odido Data Breach?

The attack began with targeted phishing emails sent to Odido customer service representatives, primarily those working in overseas call centers. According to sources speaking to Dutch media, the hackers obtained login credentials through these phishing attempts, then followed up with phone calls impersonating Odido's IT department. 'The criminals called the employees and pretended to be from Odido's ICT department,' reported NOS journalist Joost Schellevis. 'They convinced them to approve their fraudulent login attempts, bypassing additional security steps.'

Once inside the system, the attackers accessed Salesforce, a popular customer relationship management platform used by Odido to store customer information. Using automated scraping techniques, they systematically downloaded customer data over what security experts believe was several days. The breach affected both current and former customers of Odido and its subsidiary Ben, though Simpel customers remained unaffected.

What Data Was Compromised?

The stolen information represents a treasure trove for identity thieves and fraudsters. According to Odido's official statements and security experts, the compromised data includes:

• Full names and addresses
• Phone numbers and email addresses
• Bank account numbers (IBAN)
• Dates of birth
• Passport and driver's license information
• Customer identification numbers

Fortunately, certain sensitive information remained secure. Odido confirmed that passwords, call logs, billing details, location data, and actual scans of identification documents were not accessed during the breach. This distinction is crucial for understanding the data breach risk assessment and potential impact on affected individuals.

How the Attack Unfolded: A Timeline

Security researchers have reconstructed the attack sequence based on available information:

1. Initial Phishing (Early February 2026): Hackers sent targeted emails to customer service staff
2. Credential Theft: Employees unknowingly provided login credentials
3. Social Engineering Follow-up: Attackers called employees posing as IT support
4. Multi-factor Authentication Bypass: Employees approved fraudulent login attempts
5. System Access (February 7-8): Hackers gained entry to Salesforce platform
6. Data Extraction: Automated scraping of customer records over several days
7. Discovery (Weekend of February 7-8): Odido detected unauthorized access
8. Containment: Immediate blocking of access and security enhancements

The Growing Threat of AI-Enhanced Phishing

The Odido breach exemplifies the evolving nature of cyber threats in 2026. Security experts warn that AI-powered phishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using machine learning to craft convincing communications and even generate deepfake audio for social engineering. 'The quality of deepfake attacks will continuously improve through 2026,' warns the SecurityWeek Cyber Insights report, 'requiring new defensive approaches beyond traditional cybersecurity measures.'

This incident follows a pattern of increasing telecom industry cyber attacks targeting customer data. With 67% of breaches now involving phishing according to recent statistics, and deepfake fraud increasing over 700% year-over-year, organizations must adapt their security strategies accordingly.

Odido's Response and Regulatory Implications

Odido has taken several critical steps in response to the breach:

• Immediately reported the incident to the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP)
• Engaged external cybersecurity experts for investigation and remediation
• Implemented additional security controls and monitoring
• Began notifying 6.2 million affected customers via email and SMS
• Established dedicated support channels for concerned customers

The company faces potential regulatory scrutiny under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which mandates strict requirements for data breach notification and could result in significant fines for inadequate security measures. The Dutch Data Protection Authority has confirmed it is investigating the incident, marking another significant case in the GDPR enforcement actions landscape.

What Customers Should Do Now

Security experts recommend several immediate actions for affected Odido customers:

1. Monitor Financial Accounts: Regularly check bank statements for unauthorized transactions
2. Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Expect increased scam emails and calls using stolen data
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add extra security layers to important accounts
4. Consider Credit Monitoring: Services can alert you to suspicious activity
5. Verify Communications: Contact Odido directly using official channels if unsure about messages

Security researcher Sijmen Ruwhof noted the particular risk: 'The stolen data is gold for criminals. They can use it for identity theft, phishing campaigns, or even blackmail.' Customers should be especially vigilant for sophisticated phishing attempts that reference their personal information to appear legitimate.

FAQ: Odido Data Breach Questions Answered

How many people were affected by the Odido hack?

Approximately 6.2 million current and former customers of Odido and its subsidiary Ben were affected, making this one of the largest data breaches in Dutch history.

What information was stolen in the breach?

Hackers accessed names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, bank account numbers, dates of birth, and identification document information. Passwords and billing details were not compromised.

How did the hackers gain access to Odido's systems?

Through a sophisticated phishing attack targeting customer service representatives, followed by social engineering calls where they impersonated Odido's IT department to bypass multi-factor authentication.

Has Odido reported the breach to authorities?

Yes, Odido immediately reported the incident to the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) and is cooperating with their investigation.

What should affected customers do to protect themselves?

Monitor financial accounts closely, be extremely cautious of phishing attempts, enable two-factor authentication on important accounts, and consider credit monitoring services.

Sources

NOS: Odido-hackers kwamen binnen via phishing
The Register: Odido breach affects 6.2 million customers
NL Times: Odido cyber attack exposes 6.2 million people's data
SecurityWeek: Cyber Insights 2026 Social Engineering