Major Canadian rental company warns tenants that hackers may have their banking info
One of western Canada’s largest rental property companies is warning tenants about a cyber security breach it says was discovered earlier this year.
In a letter to tenants on Aug. 19, also published on its website, Mainstreet Equity Corporation says on it discovered a third party had gained access to a portion of its IT infrastructure on May 21.
“Upon discovering this, we immediately undertook countermeasures to prevent any further unauthorized activity,” the company said.
“We have also retained third-party cybersecurity experts to assist with containment, remediation and to conduct a forensic investigation and we are working with external legal counsel to ensure we meet our legal obligations.”
Mainstreet, which manages over 17,000 apartments in most major cities in western Canada, says an investigation revealed the incident may have impacted some personal information belonging to tenants or guarantors, including their names, date of birth, court applications and banking information.
“If you paid rent or a security deposit in your capacity as a roommate or guarantor of a primary renter between April 2023 to June 2024, your information may have been impacted.”
The company says it does not any have evidence that personal information breached in the incident has been used to commit fraud or identity theft.
“Upon learning of this incident, we moved quickly to respond to this incident with the assistance of third party cybersecurity experts. Our response to this incident includes ensuring the security of our systems as well as implementing enhanced security measures to better prevent an incident of this nature from reoccurring. We have also reported this incident to law enforcement and will be notifying the applicable privacy regulators."
A letter to tenants in Saskatoon obtained by CTV News. (CTV News)
In the letter to renters obtained by CTV News, the company says it’s working to improve the security of the personal information in its care.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are providing you with this letter to inform you of this incident, the steps we are taking to bolster the protection of personal information in our systems and steps you can take to protect your information, should you feel it necessary to do so," Mainstreet said.
But one Regina Mainstreet renter who contacted CTV News said they never received the disclosure letter, and they learned about the privacy breach from the news.
CTV News has contacted Mainstreet for comment and is waiting for a response.
In an effort to alleviate concerns, the company is offering tenants a complimentary 12-month subscription for identity theft and credit monitoring services through Equifax.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident
Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday.
‘It’s pretty emotional:’ N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home
A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on November, 14.
Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont.
A large cargo ship remains stuck in the St. Lawrence River after running aground on Saturday afternoon.
Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas
A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada.
B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger
A B.C. man has been awarded nearly $800,000 in damages as compensation for injuries he sustained from a defective bear banger, according to a recent court decision.
A man called 911 for help during a home invasion. Las Vegas police fatally shot him
A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him, according to authorities and 911 calls.
Cat caught in hunting snare rescued by BC SPCA
Donations are ramping up for a BC SPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device.
These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas
Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech.
'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian
One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger.