Explore Talent (July 2024) exploretalent.com Explore Talent data breach (July 2024): what happened and what to do
Data from the talent network Explore Talent was posted to a hacking forum in July 2024. Have I Been Pwned lists 5,371,574 accounts, with email addresses, names, phone numbers and physical addresses exposed.
View all 13,115 breaches- Breach date
- 28 Feb 2022
- Affected
- 5,371,574
- Data exposed
- Email addresses, Names, Phone numbers, Physical addresses
- Verified
- Yes
- Last updated
Source: Have I Been Pwned (CC BY 4.0)
Explore Talent is an online network that connects aspiring actors, models and performers with industry contacts. Its data was posted to a hacking forum in July 2024, and Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) added it on 25 July 2024.
What happened
HIBP says the dataset holds 5.7 million rows with 5.4 million unique email addresses. Sources describe the incident as happening between early 2022 and 2023, and HIBP dates it to 28 February 2022. This is a separate incident from the August 2024 Explore Talent exposure, which has its own page.
What was exposed
HIBP lists 5,371,574 accounts with email addresses, names, phone numbers and physical addresses.
Many of the people on a talent site are young or hoping for work, which makes them a target for fake casting calls and fake agent emails. A scammer who knows your name, phone number and home address can send a convincing "audition" invitation or a request for a fee. Address data also makes unwanted mail and in-person contact possible.
What to do
Change your Explore Talent password and any account that shares it. Be careful with unsolicited casting offers, never pay an upfront fee to a stranger, and verify agents through their official site.
What to do if you were in it
- 1
Change your password and any reuse of it
Change it on the affected service and on every other account that uses the same or a similar password. A password manager makes unique passwords easy. Turn on two-factor login where it's offered.
- 2
Treat unsolicited casting offers as suspect
Real agents and casting directors don't ask for fees up front. Verify who is contacting you through their official site before replying or sharing documents.
- 3
Expect phishing that mentions the breach
Treat unexpected emails, texts and calls as suspect, especially ones that name the company or offer help with the breach. Don't click links in them; go to the company's site yourself.
- 4
Check which other breaches include you
Run a free Serus scan to see whether your email or phone number appears in this and other breaches. Serus monitors breach databases and the dark web and alerts you when your details show up in a new leak.
Frequently asked
Was I affected by this Explore Talent breach?
Look up your email on Have I Been Pwned, or run a free Serus scan. HIBP lists 5,371,574 accounts for the July 2024 entry.
What was exposed?
Email addresses, names, phone numbers and physical addresses.
Is this the same as the August 2024 Explore Talent incident?
No. HIBP describes the August 2024 exposure as separate from this 2022 breach.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
