Verifications.io Data Breach
Status: Confirmed
Breach Intelligence Summary
Entity: Verifications.io · Actor: Unknown · Source: DataBreach.com / ObscureIQ intelligence
Attack: Phishing via Phishing
Timeline: Breach (Feb, 2019) · Reported (Mar, 2019) · Leak (Mar, 2019)
Exposure: 786.4M+ records · Dates of birth, Email, Employers, Genders, Geographic locations, IP Address, IP addresses, Job titles, Name, Names, Phone numbers, Physical addresses
Status: Confirmed · Risk: Moderate (Phishing / SIM swap)
Summary
In February 2019 , Verifications.io an email validation service suffered a significant data breach that exposed over 763 million unique records . Security researchers Bob Diachenko and Vinny Troia discovered an unprotected MongoDB database containing approximately 150 gigabytes of data including email addresses names phone numbers physical addresses dates of birth and other personal information. The breach was not the result of a sophisticated cyberattack but rather stemmed from the company’s failure to secure its database leaving it accessible to anyone with an internet connection. This oversight allowed for the potential misuse of the exposed data raising concerns about the company’s data handling practices.​ Verifications.io specialized in verifying email addresses for third-party clients aiming to improve the efficiency of email marketing campaigns. However the breach revealed that the company had amassed a vast amount of personal data much of which individuals were unaware had been collected. The exposure of such detailed information posed significant risks including the potential for phishing attacks and identity theft .​ Following the discovery of the breach Verifications.io took its website offline and ceased operations shortly thereafter. The incident highlighted the importance of robust data security measures and the potential consequences of neglecting them. It also underscored the need for transparency in data collection practices and the responsibility companies have in protecting the personal information of individuals .​
About Verifications.io
Verifications.io is the organization affected by this breach. User data may have been generated through account creation, service usage, or business operations.
If you have interacted with Verifications.io in any capacity, your data may be included in this breach.
Threat Actor: Unknown
The threat actor responsible for this breach has not been publicly identified or confirmed at this time.
- Phishing
Breach Exploitation Status
Moderate
Status
Detected
Possible
Possible
Unknown
Unknown
5+ years (high persistence)
Dates of birth are permanent and addresses change slowly. Combined with other fields, this data sustains long-tail targeting risk.
Data Points Exposed
Dark Web Verification
Status: Confirmed
- Dataset containing approximately 786.4M+ records has been identified in breach intelligence sources.
- The data is indexed and searchable across breach notification platforms.
Impact
This breach carries moderate risk due to the nature of exposed data fields and the scale of affected records.
- Targeted phishing referencing Verifications.io accounts or services
- SIM-swap attempts where phone numbers are present
- Physical mail scams and address-based identity verification fraud
- Age/DOB used to bypass identity verification questions
- Data broker enrichment and resale
Recommendations for Impacted Individuals
If you believe your information may be included:
Non-clients may request a breach impact review.
Verifications.io account updates
Password reset requests
Verify directly through official channels.
Email compromise is often the first pivot point.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Feb, 2019, Verifications.io experienced a data breach that resulted in the exposure of approximately 786.4M+ records containing personal information.
The exposed data includes Dates of birth, Email, Employers, Genders, Geographic locations, IP Address, IP addresses, Job titles, Name, Names, Phone numbers, Physical addresses.
Approximately 786.4M+ records were affected based on current breach intelligence.
Yes. This breach is treated as confirmed based on data observed in breach intelligence platforms.
Data circulation has been detected across breach-sharing channels. Downstream exploitation risk exists based on the nature of the exposed fields.
Rotate passwords associated with Verifications.io, enable multi-factor authentication on email and financial accounts, and monitor for suspicious activity.
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Corporate Accountability
Organizations that collect personal data have a duty to implement reasonable safeguards and to notify affected individuals when breaches occur.
Scope assessments may evolve as investigations continue. Users should not rely solely on early estimates when making risk decisions.
ObscureIQ Advisory
We combine proprietary dark web access with commercial and restricted breach intelligence to verify exposure and assess real-world risk.
- A public-facing individual
- A high-profile executive
- A customer of Verifications.io
- Or simply concerned about credential reuse
We can confirm whether your information is circulating and evaluate downstream threat vectors.