Cyber theft compensation claims

When hackers seek to gain access to a business or another organisation’s systems, it is often for the purpose of data theft. With such threats looming over them, it is essential that data controllers do their best to protect the personal information that is in their charge, or they risk compromising the security of customers and employees. In such cases, victims could be eligible to make cyber theft compensation claims.

In the Virgin Media data breach, a cybersecurity failing enabled anyone – which could have included hackers – to access a huge company database, potentially allowing them to steal the information of the 900,000 victims whose data it held. In our eyes, the breach was caused by the negligence of Virgin Media itself, which is why we are bringing a group action against the company. An unknown third party did access the database, and it remains unknown as to who they are or what their intentions are.

In accordance with the GDPR, all companies are required to protect the information that they hold and process in accordance with the legal principles. This includes implementing necessary technical measures and organisational policies. Where they fail to do so, they can be held liable via data breach compensation claims.

Cyber theft compensation claims – data breaches involving cyberattacks

Often, the breaches involving external attackers can have the most serious consequences, or at least they can prove most worrying for their victims. The knowledge that personal and private information may have fallen into the hands of cybercriminals can be extremely concerning for those affected, and there are real security risks provoked by such information exposure.

For example, personal information could be used to carry out theft and fraud, even where the financial details have not been stolen. Email addresses and phone numbers, both of which were exposed in the Virgin Media data breach, could allow fraudsters to target victims with misleading communication, presenting themselves as reputable companies in order to convince victims to hand over personal information, often bank details.

Where the effects of a data breach are financial, those affected may be able to make cyber theft compensation claims.

Recovering damages for data breaches

It may at first appear that hackers are responsible for data theft, but the negligence of data controllers can also account for data exposure, which is where cyber theft compensation claims come in.

Where victims of the Virgin Media data breach have been affected by fraud or theft as a direct result of the company’s exposure of their data, part of their claim could aim to recover the money lost in the data breach. This is in addition to any damages claimed for distress suffered.

Join the Virgin Media group action

Since the Virgin Media data breach was first reported, we have been doing all we can to advise the victims and to help them seek the justice that they deserve. Cyber theft compensation claims in our group action could allow those affected to recover significant compensation pay-outs, and every eligible claimant can rest easy in the knowledge that they can get No Win, No Fee representation, meaning they won’t have to pay any of our legal fees if their claim is unsuccessful, subject to the agreed terms and conditions.

To join the fight for justice and make your claim with the thousands of others who already are, sign up via our online form today.

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