Magda Wierzycka furious that Discovery Insure data breach compromises not only her safety, but others' too

Magda Wierzycka, CEO of the Sygnia Group, has publicly shared her anger over a data breach at Discovery Insure.

The short-term insurance arm of Discovery on Thursday confirmed that it had identified 19 instances, including Wierzycka's, where the personal information of clients was leaked.

An impersonator reportedly managed to do this on the phone by using information released in former breaches to bypass existing verification systems. 

'Let me point out the immense personal security risk Discovery has created', says Wierzycka in a post on X.

She also shared Discovery's communication with her on the platform.

On The Money Show, the well-known businesswoman confirms that she is still intent on canceling 'everything I have ever opened' with the Group.

"Apart from the fact my personal details were leaked... more importantly what has been leaked is the contents of my house, the value that I have placed on that, the details of our cars..."

Magda Wierzycka, CEO - Sygnia Group

Wierzycka says the incident has highlighted for her that, while we're very sensitive about banking information, there is less awareness of the data that short-term insurers have access to.

This kind of leak poses a physical threat to the affected people, she emphasizes.

 "They've got the details of all your household possessions, and the value of those possessions... so when fraudsters impersonate whoever they're impersonating and come into possession of that kind of information, they're are not there to deplete your bank account, they're there because they want to know whether you are a worthwhile robbery target."

"If this was just about me, yes my levels of public disclosure and my public persona is out there for everyone to know... but think about the 18 other families that have been affected. Those are families that can't afford fancy security, that potentially are not fully aware of the consequences of this kind of a data breach."

"I'm sure that Discovery isn't the first to have breached that kind of info, and that's what I'm incensed about, that these companies have a complete lack of awareness..."

Magda Wierzycka, CEO - Sygnia Group

Discovery Insure did not respond to The Money Show's request for comment.

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