Data Security,
Finance & Banking,
Industry Specific
Details on Breach Notification Service: Victim Count in Peer-to-Peer Lending Marketplace
In a significant breach, hackers reportedly accessed personal information of over 17 million users from Prosper, a peer-to-peer lending platform. The incident involves the theft of sensitive data, including names, dates of birth, email addresses, and Social Security numbers.
A review of the compromised data, as disclosed by Have I Been Pwned, revealed that 17.6 million unique email addresses were affected. Notably, around 2.8 million of these addresses had not previously been reported in other breaches, suggesting a fresh exposure of sensitive information.
Data exposed included not only identifiers such as names and Social Security numbers but also comprehensive details regarding credit status, employment, and income of individuals. This breadth of data magnifies the potential risks associated with such exposures.
In comments to Information Media Group, a spokesperson for Prosper acknowledged the extent of the breach as reported by Hunt but indicated that the company is still validating specific details. “The investigation into what data was affected and to whom it belongs is ongoing,” the spokesperson stated. The company’s top priority remains addressing this incident, with subsequent communications promised to affected customers.
Founded in 2005, Prosper claims to have facilitated loans totaling $29 billion for over 2.3 million individuals. Alongside personal loans, the company provides services including debt consolidation and various types of loans, raising concerns about the impact this breach could have on both customers and the organization’s reputation.
Initially detected in mid-September, Prosper reported that it had blocked the attack by September 2; however, specifics about the attack’s start or detection remain unclarified. In its initial notification on September 17, Prosper emphasized that no unauthorized access to customer accounts or funds had been detected, assuring users of continuous monitoring and security safeguards.
In response to this breach, Prosper announced enhancements to its security measures, including improved monitoring and alert systems. The company has informed both current and potential customers about the unauthorized access to their confidential information, stemming from illicit queries made on its databases.
This incident illustrates the evolving landscape of cyber threats facing the financial sector, where adversaries may employ tactics such as initial access through phishing or exploiting vulnerabilities, along with persistence methods to maintain access. As cybersecurity risks grow, understanding the tactics and techniques identified in frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK becomes essential for businesses wanting to fortify their defenses.
*Update on October 17, 2025, 21:27 UTC: Previous valuation errors have been corrected.
