Bank details, birth certificates potentially hacked in Meriton data breach

Highly sensitive information of guests and staff has been hacked in a massive security breach at a hotel giant.

One of Australia’s biggest property giants has become the victim of a data breach, with cybercriminals potentially stealing sensitive personal data.

Data including bank details, birth certificates, salary and disciplinary proceedings information have been compromised.

It is believed bank details, birth certificates and health information may have been accessed during the attack. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard.

Both staff and guests of Meriton were targets of the breach which the property developer and luxury accommodation operator told the ABC occurred on January 14.

It is believed that staff members suffered the brunt of the attack, with hackers potentially accessing their tax file numbers, employment information and bank accounts, as well as health information.

Hackers may also have gained access to information about salaries and disciplinary proceedings. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard.

Guests have reportedly been warned by Meriton that their contact information and any health information disclosed to the hotel, including incident reports made during their stays, may also have been compromised.

Meriton reportedly told the ABC in a statement that an “unidentified third party” conducted the “cybersecurity incident”, comprising 35.6 gigabytes of data.

Meriton told the ABC the incident occurred on January 14. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The hotel and property developer has also taken “appropriate” measures to notify those affected, sending letters to both guests and staff members.

“We have no evidence that this cyber incident was directed towards any specific individual, and our investigation has revealed no evidence that your information has been misused,” the company told the ABC.

Meriton told the ABC that there was “no evidence” staff or guest data no had been misused”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard.

“We have been working closely alongside leading cybersecurity and forensic IT professionals and taking all available steps to protect against future risk to data and prevent recurrence.”

Meriton joins a slew of firms that have been attacked by hackers over the past year.

NCA NewsWire has contacted Meriton for comment.