Category: Claim Compensation
Unsecured database compensation claims
Many companies hold customer and employee information in huge databases, many of which can be accessed online or in the cloud as a way of making them easier to use from any location. But with ease of access comes the necessity of appropriate cybersecurity defences to prevent unauthorised users from breaching the database. Unfortunately, some organisations do not take these precautions seriously. Where information is stolen from an unsecured database, compensation claims could be launched by those affected.
In the Virgin Media data breach, the failure to secure a database resulted in the exposure of approximately 900,000 victims’ personal information, making it accessible to unauthorised users. We believe the company is responsible for negligence in terms of data protection law, which is why we are giving all those affected by the incident the opportunity to make a compensation claim in our group action.
If you were affected by the Virgin Media data breach, you can use our online form today to confirm your eligibility and start your claim.
Malicious cyberattacks and data leaks
In the digital age, cybercriminals are constantly trying to take advantage of the huge online and cloud data stores used by many companies. Personal information is now a commodity for both legitimate businesses and malicious cybercriminals, with the latter often seeking to misuse data for financial gain. Data controllers must, therefore, defend against malicious cyberattacks on a regular basis, but many do not appear to be taking this threat seriously enough.
With the current climate of cybercrime as it is, it is unacceptable for companies to be negligent of their duties to protect personal data. In fact, in cases where data controllers fail to meet the mark, they may be liable for a breach of data protection law.
As specialist data protection lawyers, we firmly believe that we cannot afford to let companies off lightly in the wake of data breaches, or the problem of non-compliance may only exacerbate. We are, therefore, aiming to hold Virgin Media to account for its failure to protect personal data, as we believe that those affected are entitled to fair compensation for the harm caused even with the event not being a cyberattack but risking one taking place.
The impact of consumer data breaches
The digitisation of the business world has led to millions of consumers’ personal information being held in servers and databases. Whether you’re doing some online shopping, or signing up for a social media account, you will often find yourself disclosing a great deal of personal information to third-party companies. There should not be an inherent risk to giving businesses your information but, unfortunately, the negligence of some businesses can lead to victims suffering the impact of consumer data breaches.
In one infamous incident, approximately 900,000 UK consumers were affected by the Virgin Media data breach, which is understood to have been caused by the failure to secure a database containing personal data. The error significantly breached the privacy of those affected, as well as exposing them to potential security risks and facing threats from fraudsters and scammers.
All consumers have the right to know that their information is protected by the businesses to whom they disclose it, so businesses should be held accountable when they fail to do so. Anyone affected by the Virgin Media data breach could be eligible to make a claim in our group action to seek justice for any harm caused.
Data breach claims solicitors for the Virgin Media leak
At Your Lawyers, we have developed a strong reputation as specialist data breach claims solicitors, having represented clients for privacy matters since 2014. Our experience ranges across a variety of different cases, from employees negligently disclosing information to companies being hit by huge leaks, and this has provided us with extensive experience across this area of law.
However, as data breach claims grow in number, and as more and more firms decide to branch out into this area of law, there is a risk that data breach victims are not receiving the expert advice and representation that they deserve. Law firms should not just be representing you as a way of capitalising on a trend, but because they strongly believe in the importance of upholding data protection law and recovering the compensation you deserve. At Your Lawyers, we make this promise to each and every one of our clients.
As specialists in data breach claims and in group actions, where we fight for the rights of thousands of data breach victims in one collective claim, we are helping victims of the Virgin Media data breach. If you were affected by the incident, you could be eligible to recover compensation in our group action, and you can sign up online today to start your case.
Claim for an accidental data leak
Though many data breaches arise from hacks and information theft by cybercriminals, some are caused by the errors of the organisations and individuals that hold the data. With so many businesses holding huge volumes of personal details relating to their customers and employees, it is vital that they minimise the risk of exposure. However, there can be cracks in their systems, and where this causes an unintentional exposure of private data, those affected could be eligible to claim for an accidental data leak.
In the Virgin Media data breach, the internal mistakes were the triggers for a leak of personal data belonging to as many as 900,000 people, most of whom were customers of Virgin Media. It does not matter how unintentional these errors were – the result could still constitute a significant breach of data protection law.
In our group action, all those who were told of their involvement in the Virgin Media data breach could be eligible to claim compensation. You can use our online form to check your eligibility and sign up to claim today – No Win, No Fee.
GDPR compensation for distress
Whether your personal information was accidentally disclosed in an email error, or it was stolen in a targeted cyberattack, there can always be side-effects to data breaches. The sensitivity of our personal information means that it can be worrying to learn of its exposure, yet the emotional impact of data breaches can be disregarded in favour of shocking accounts of fraud and theft. However, in accordance with the GDPR, compensation for distress can be recovered as part of data breach claims.
Since its inception, the GDPR has recognised the “material” and “non-material” impact of data breaches, such that both financial losses and distress can be seen as valid reasons for bringing claims. We can account for the specific impact the breach has had on you when valuing your claim.
In our Virgin Media group action, we are looking to help as many victims as possible to claim the compensation they deserve. Among the 900,000 UK victims of the incident, there will likely be varying levels of distress and financial loss, so it is vital that potential claimants do not underestimate their reasons for claiming. Your justification is just as valid as any other eligible claimant.
Stolen data breach compensation claims
Operating via the dark web, there is a huge network of hackers and online fraudsters seeking to steal personal information. The theft of a few personal details can open a wealth of possibilities for cybercriminals, which could enable them to carry out all manners of scams and attempts at fraud. While this criminal underworld bears a huge responsibility for the theft of data, businesses and other legitimate organisations must also play a role, as their failure to protect information could leave it vulnerable to misuse. Those affected by this kind of data security negligence may be able to make stolen data breach compensation claims.
When a cyberattack occurs, businesses may lead their customers to believe that they bear no responsibility, blaming the incident on the attackers alone. However, this distortion of a data breach should not mislead you. Ultimately, if a company’s negligence has led to your personal information being stolen, they may have breached data protection law.
In the case of the Virgin Media data breach, we believe that the company should be held accountable for exposing the information of around 900,000 people. Anyone affected by the incident could be eligible to make a compensation claim in our group action.
Cyber leak compensation claims
There can be a tendency for businesses and the media to present malicious hackers as the primary threat to data security. It is true that cybercriminals have been growing in strength, with many trying to seize the opportunities presented by the global crisis of the coronavirus pandemic. However, in data breaches, it is the failed cybersecurity of legitimate businesses and organisations that can cause private information to be leaked. As a result, those affected could be eligible to make cyber leak compensation claims to recover damages for any harm caused.
As specialists in data breach claims, we have seen how companies can underestimate the importance of cybersecurity measures. When this occurs, the consequences often fall heavily on the customers or employees of these companies, whose data may become exposed to misuse.
In the Virgin Media data breach, approximately 900,000 people had their data made vulnerable to unauthorised access due to what we believe to be Virgin Media’s negligence. All those affected by the incident may be eligible to make a compensation claim, so if you were notified of your involvement in the data breach, you can register for a claim today via our online form.
Online fraud compensation claims
As cybercriminals continue to enhance their methods and develop their tools, it is becoming harder for consumers to avoid online fraud. However, consumers can be put at even greater risk when a company to whom they have disclosed their personal data fails to keep it private, as data exposure can provide fraudsters with a clear route to attacking their victims. If you have been affected by a data breach that allowed cybercriminals to steal from you, you could recover online fraud compensation as part of a claim.
In March last year, it was revealed that the personal information of 900,000 people, mainly consumers, had been exposed due to the failure to secure a Virgin Media database. In response, we began taking on claims for those affected, and we are now bringing a group action against Virgin Media for the data breach.
As a result of the exposure of their personal information, the victims of the Virgin Media data breach may have become vulnerable to online fraud. This factor can be taken into account in claims against the company. If you think you may be eligible for a case, you can sign up to claim via our online form here.
Compensation for identity theft
As the strength of cybercriminals grows, so does the threat to personal data. Your personal information can be perceived as highly valuable to malicious criminals, many of whom would seek to misuse it for their own profit. Identity theft is one risk to victims who have had their data exposed. As such, where a third-party organisation is responsible for the exposure of information, it can be possible for those affected to claim compensation for identity theft.
Following the Virgin Media data breach, victims were made vulnerable to a number of cybercrime threats, all of which we believe Virgin Media bears some responsibility for. We quickly launched a group action to see that all the 900,000 UK victims of the Virgin Media data breach have an opportunity to claim the compensation they deserve.
As specialists in data breach claims, we have represented thousands of clients in their fight for justice, and have been involved in some of the most high-profile data breach actions in the UK, including those against British Airways and 56 Dean Street Clinic. You can use our online form to start your Virgin Media compensation claim today.
