An employee of Boca Raton-based ADT Security Services had access to streaming security camera footage from inside homes of hundreds of the company's customers, according to a federal lawsuit filed Monday, May 18, 2020.
(Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel)
At least 220 Dallas-Fort Worth families were spied on in their homes by an ADT employee who hacked home security cameras in the area, according to the security company.
Two class-action federal lawsuits were filed Monday against ADT, which is one of the largest security companies in the country. One suit was filed on behalf of ADT customers and the other represents those who were spied on in those customers homes.
In April, aDFW customer discovered an unknown person had access to their ADT security camera. After an investigation, ADT found an employee had access to hundreds of customers accounts and had been watching people in their homes for seven years, according to the lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida, where the company is based.
I am just horrified that a company that holds itself as the number one security option allowed this to happen, attorney Amy Carter said. They gave access to someones home when they were seeking additional security.
In a statement, ADT said the company reported to police in April that an employee gained access to 220 accounts in the Dallas area. A spokesman said the company put measures in place to prevent this from happening again, but did not expand on what those measures were. The employee has since been fired.
We deeply regret what happened to the 220 customers affected by this incident and have contacted them to help resolve their concerns, the statement said. We are supporting law enforcements investigation of the former employee and are committed to helping bring justice to those impacted by his improper actions.
In late April, ADT started to contact customers and tell them what happened. The company offered confidentially agreements to customers in exchange for monetary payments, according to the lawsuit.
One of those customers was DFW resident Shana Doty, the plaintiff in the first lawsuit.
ADT told Doty over the phone that the technician who worked on her indoor security camera system had granted himself remote access and had spied on her, her husband and her minor son an unknown amount of times, according to the lawsuit. Based on the position of the wide-angle camera, the technician would have been able to see the family members in their bedrooms in all of their private moments.
Other customers got the same call. One worked for Homeland Security and had a teenage daughter, who had also been viewed on the camera. Another was a mother who found out she and her daughter had been spied upon in the nude and their most private moments, Carter said.
Carter said they do not know where all the affected customers live, but they believe most of them are in the DFW area, south of Interstate 30. That area includes Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington. Carter said they believe up to 400 households could have been hacked.
Flawed security system
The technician was able to give himself access to peoples cameras and homes because ADT did not set up simple security protections, Carter said.
The technician would add his email onto customers accounts in the ADT Pulse app when he installed or did work on a camera, the suit said. ADT did not have a dual security system in place to notify customers when an email was added. The technician was not only able to spy on households in real time, but he was also able to review previous footage, download clips and upload them to the internet, according to the lawsuit.
This was the system and policy they had set up nationwide, fellow attorney Matthew McCarley said. We dont feel very confident at all this hasnt happened elsewhere.
ADT serves 7.2 million residential and business customersin the U.S. and Canada, according to the companys website.
Carter said the FBI is investigating the employee, who was identified as Telesforo Aviles in the lawsuit. DeSoto police were also involved in the investigation, she said.
The lawsuit is asking for more than $5 million in compensation.
McCarley said ADT customers should verify who has access to their cameras and double check no one else has email access or permission to view footage.
We hope that based on the facts of the case that ADT will take this seriously and get this resolved as soon as possible, McCarley said. Because a lot of people have been hurt. The invasion of someones privacy you cant get that back.
2020 the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Visit the Fort Worth Star-Telegram atwww.star-telegram.com
Distributed byTribune Content Agency, LLC.
- Amazon just slashed the price of our favorite budget home security camera - Tom's Guide - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Los Angeles Police Department warning home owners to hard-wire home security systems as organized theft rings ... - Notebookcheck.net - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Mesa family upping home security as burglaries increase - Yahoo! Voices - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- An attempted kidnapping in Glendale is caught on camera - The Arizona Republic - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Best Security Systems For Apartments Of 2024 Forbes Home - Forbes - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Airbnb's Unexpected Home Security Ban Sets A New Standard For Rental Property Owners - House Digest - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Wayward 450-pound pig named Kevin Bacon hams it up for home security camera - The Associated Press - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- The Best Home Security Cameras According To Rigorous, Hands-On Testing - Forbes - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Best home security deal: Get the Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell for just $49.99 at Amazon. - Mashable - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- The 6 Hottest Outdoor Design Trends You'll See Everywhere This Spring and Summer - SFGATE - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- This smart security camera impressed me in the most unexpected way - ZDNet - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Lithe Audio and Lilin integrate AI for home security - HiddenWires - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Why Airbnb Is Banning Cameras in Rentals - TIME - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- PC students gift overnight security guard trip home to Nigeria - WPRI.com - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Influencer suing Tyreek Hill for 'breaking her leg' DEMANDS he hand over his private texts and home security f - Daily Mail - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Ring's Battery Doorbell Pro is one of the best security systems I've tested (but there's a catch) - ZDNet - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Review: Compact, Reliable And Long Battery Life - Forbes - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- Home security video catch person taking mail that results in $8,000 worth of fraudulent checks - AOL - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Best Home Security Cameras of 2024 - CNET - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Ring sale: Save on Ring doorbells and home security cameras today - Digital Trends - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Blink's video doorbell just crashed to $44 and it doesn't require a subscription - Tom's Guide - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Snag Up to 43% off These Blink Security Cameras and Doorbells - CNET - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- U.S. House Republicans impeach Homeland Security chief Mayorkas on second try Oregon Capital Chronicle - Oregon Capital Chronicle - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Wi-Fi jamming to knock out cameras suspected in nine Minnesota burglaries -- smart security systems vulnerable as ... - Tom's Hardware - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The 4 Best Security Cameras for Your Home of 2024 | Reviews by Wirecutter - The New York Times - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Security guard shoots man allegedly trying to run people over in Home Depot parking lot - CBS Los Angeles - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The 4 Best Smart Doorbell Cameras of 2024 | Reviews by Wirecutter - The New York Times - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Everything you need to know about the Ring Protect price hike - Digital Trends - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Vory Threatens To 'Kill' Girlfriend In Alleged Footage Of Domestic Abuse - HipHopDX - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Angry Airbnb host sent guest's wife security photo of him with another woman, lawsuit claims - New York Post - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Best Smart Locks of 2024 - CNET - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Bear tries to enter Washington home through doggie door - UPI News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro has 3D motion detection - Gadget Flow - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- We test some of the latest home security cameras to see how far the technology has come - Nottinghamshire Live - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Ring Is Raising Rates on Some Plans by 25% in March - PCMag Middle East - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The 12 Best Home Security Cameras of 2023 - Security.org - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Traveling for the holidays? Keep an eye on your home with the Blink Mini security camera, now just $20 - Gwinnettdailypost.com - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Gangs from South America use security jammers to break in to expensive homes across country: police - WLS-TV - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Best Home Security Companies Of 2023 Forbes Home - Forbes - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Best Wireless Security Cameras Of December 2023 Forbes Home - Forbes - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Best Outdoor Security Lights With Cameras Of 2023 - Forbes - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Wireless CCTV camera for home security? Here are top 10 options to choose from | Mint - Mint - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Cougar struck and killed near Minneapolis likely the one seen in home security video, expert says - Drgnews - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Cougar living in Lowry Hill neighborhood of Minneapolis, city, DNR warn - Star Tribune - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- FAIR Applauds Senate Republicans for Holding Firm and Demanding that National Security Starts at Home - StreetInsider.com - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Prevent Burglaries With ADT's Tips For Property Security | Security News - SecurityInformed - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Prince Harry Says His Security Removal Had One Glaring Error - Newsweek - December 11th, 2023 [December 11th, 2023]
- Save $50 on the Ring Alarm home security system from Amazon - SFGATE - September 13th, 2022 [September 13th, 2022]
- An Indian Security System That Is Being Transformed By Technology - Inventiva - September 13th, 2022 [September 13th, 2022]
- Home Security Systems Market | expected to reach $96.5 billion | growth of 9.1% CAGR | 200 pages report - Taiwan News - September 13th, 2022 [September 13th, 2022]
- VP Harris wishes lawmakers treated domestic threats as 'Americans' - Business Insider - September 13th, 2022 [September 13th, 2022]
- Axis Communications Unveils Latest Solutions for Integrating Sight, Sound, Analytics and More at the 2022 Global Security Exchange - Business Wire - September 13th, 2022 [September 13th, 2022]
- Tomorrow.io Delivers First Radar for Weather Satellite Constellation Backed by U.S. Air Force - Benzinga - September 13th, 2022 [September 13th, 2022]
- The 2 Stocks Everyone's Talking About Tuesday - The Motley Fool - September 13th, 2022 [September 13th, 2022]
- What To Do With Old Smartphones? 15 Genius Reuse Ideas - TechPP - September 13th, 2022 [September 13th, 2022]
- Broken Arrow Man Arrested, Accused Of Hiding Cameras To Record Minors - News On 6 - September 13th, 2022 [September 13th, 2022]
- Massacre in Pike County Suspect is escorted by security as they enter court on the first day of the trial. - TDPel Media - September 13th, 2022 [September 13th, 2022]
- Department of Homeland Security PAL-Home - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Native Sun Home Accents, Inc. - Arizona Security Doors ... - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Ring Alarm Pro review: A giant leap for home security - CNET - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- The Top Reasons You Should Not Ignore Installing a Home Security System - Southeast Missourian - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Where is the best place to install my home security cameras? - TechRadar - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Wyze announces new camera features and a new Wyze Smart Switch and Smart Bulb - The Verge - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Connected Home Security Market 2021: Global Analysis, Share, Trends, Application Analysis and Forecast To 2027 Bolivar Commercial - Bolivar... - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Amazon Black Friday deal takes $250 off the Arlo Pro 3 Spotlight 4 camera system - T3 - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Frontpoint Security Expands Executive Team with the Announcement of its First Chief Commercial Officer - PRNewswire - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Xiaomi Smart Door Lock Xhome security with face recognition and a sleek design - Gadget Flow - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- US Blacklists Israeli Spyware Companies Over Threat to National Security - The Daily Beast - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Remote Work Security: Handling Setbacks in the Time of COVID-19 - Security Intelligence - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- World Series 2021 - The inside story of where Jorge Soler's home run went once it left Minute Maid Park - ESPN - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Ask a Broker: The importance of smart-home technology - Aspen Daily News - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Apple's Craig Federighi defends App Store in face of looming regulation - Mashable - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- The eufy Floodlight Video Camera II provides 360 degrees of security coverage without breaking the bank - TechHive - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Worldwide Automotive Software Industry to 2026 - Safety and Security Software is Expected to Witness Faster Growth Rate - ResearchAndMarkets.com -... - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- She would never just leave: Investigators look into if Mid-City moms disappearance related to financial investigation - KTLA Los Angeles - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Bring Alexa support to your home security with 54% off wansviews 1080p outdoor cam from $18 - 9to5Toys - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Members of Congress Are Spending More Than Ever on Security Mother Jones - Mother Jones - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Google Nest to Strengthen Its Commitment to Security by Testing Devices Against the ioXt Alliance's Global Security Standards - Business Wire - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Summer Wells investigators receive more than 700 tips about missing Tennessee girl - Fox News - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- DIY Home Security Solutions Market Analytical Overview, Growth Factors, Demand and Trends Forecast to 2027 The Courier - The Courier - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]