Types of business data breaches we can assist with
Increasingly we have to share our personal information with businesses, but we have the right to expect that this will be looked after. However, all too often this isn’t the case.
We can make data breach claims against a wide range of privately owned organisations including:
- Small businesses
- Retailers
- Legal providers
- Leisure companies
- Transport businesses
- Technology companies
- Newspapers and other media
- Marketing companies
- Telecommunication companies
- Financial, insurance and credit card companies
Where a breach occurs, the ICO can respond with actions such as financial penalties and prosecutions.
Some examples of cases investigated by the ICO include where:
- TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC was fined £100,000 after it failed to look after its customers’ data and risked it falling into the hands of scammers and fraudsters
- Uber was fined £385,000 for failing to protect customers’ personal information during a cyber attack
- Facebook was fined £500,000 for serious breaches of data protection law
- Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) was fined £120,000 for failing to ensure that the personal data held on its network was properly secured.
It’s not just hackers you have to worry about
Over the last few years, UK businesses have proved a lucrative target for hackers, leading to a rise in high-profile data leaks. But, despite the headlines and concerns about cybercrime, human error is still the leading cause of privacy failures. And, these errors are just as likely to happen offline.
At Hayes Connor, our expert solicitors deal with a significant number of corporate data breach cases. During our work, we see many different types of claims and understand how these violations can affect people in different ways.
Take a look at our case studies to find out more about the types of data breaches that are occurring across the UK.
Making a data breach claim against a private company
Are you owed compensation for a private company’s data breach?
You can make a claim if a private company has failed to protect your personal data i.e. if they have not met their legal duty to keep your data safe as set out in the Data Protection Act 2018.
Cybercriminals are becoming more and more sophisticated. But this doesn’t let businesses and other organisations off the hook. If they have done everything in their power to protect your data and have robust security processes and procedures in place, it is unlikely that a claim would be successful.
This is why we usually wait for the results of an investigation by the ICO before starting a claim.
Most breaches are preventable – the majority are caused by simple human errors. However, companies don’t like investing in cybersecurity, updating their systems, or training their staff. So, in most cases, data breaches happen to private companies because of human error and/or a failure to implement reasonable and robust processes.
As such, claiming compensation isn’t just in your best interests. With large-scale, high-profile hacks and breaches happening more and more often, this could be the only way to ensure that businesses implement more secure processes.
Private companies must be held accountable for data losses. And, where your data has been put at risk or misused because of the negligence of others, it’s essential that you are compensated, and action is taken to make sure it never happens again.
If a business has failed to protect your personal data, you have a right to claim compensation. Even if you haven’t suffered as a result.
The full impact of a business breach is not always immediate
Dealing with hundreds of different types of data breach cases, one thing that has become apparent to our solicitors is that the full impact is often not felt until months after the initial violation.
We have seen cases where the financial losses only start to occur three to six months later. This is often because data stolen for businesses is used in batches over time.
And the impact of data breaches goes much further than financial losses. We’ve seen cases where experiencing a data breach has resulted in adverse life events such as having to move house or area, losing a job, relationship stress and separation, and dislocation from friends and family. All of which can lead to a diagnosable psychological injury. And, like financial losses, this is often happening months after the initial breach was revealed.
Business data breach compensation after ICO investigation
While the ICO can fine private companies for data breaches, it cannot award compensation. But you can still start a claim for compensation if a private company has breached the Data Protection Act and put your personal information at risk.
At Hayes Connor, we can help you make claims against a wide range of businesses already fined by the ICO.
Under the GDPR, organisations MUST tell you if they have breached your personal data. But despite this, too often people still don’t know that their data has been breached until they hear that the ICO has fined a company. In such cases, it’s worth finding out whether your data was put at risk. Because, if so, you may have a claim for compensation.
We can also keep you updated on upcoming and current data breach claim investigations.
How to start a data breach claim against a business
Our professional, friendly team will advise you on whether you have a valid claim against a private company. If you are not sure whether your sensitive information has been misused or mishandled, we can find this out for you.
Once we establish that you have grounds for data breach compensation, we will take care of the whole claims process for you.
Our team will contact the business you hold responsible for failing to protect your data. Where we believe you were let down by their security processes, we will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
To get the claims process started, you can use our simple and secure online claim form to share the details of your situation and we will get back to you shortly to let you know whether we can help.
To speak to a member of our team now about what to do if you have been a victim of a data breach, please call us on 0151 363 5895.
What will we claim for?
You can make a claim if an organisation has failed to protect your personal data – regardless of whether or not you have suffered as a result of the breach. However, where you have experienced financial, medical harm, anguish or anxiety, we can make a more significant case.
Financial losses
A business data breach can lead to both financial and/or identity theft. And the result of either of these can be devastating. With enough information, cybercriminals can apply for credit in your name, set up fraudulent bank accounts and access your existing accounts.
Distress
Even if you haven’t lost out financially after a data breach, this doesn’t mean that there is “no harm done.” A personal data breach is a 21st-century version of being burgled. If a criminal came into your home and stole your private information, you would be distressed. So why should you feel any less upset at having your personal data taken?
Being the victim of a crime can have a significant impact on you mentally and physically. Of course, everyone reacts differently, but for some people, the effects can include a lack of sleep, feeling ill, unsettled or confused. Stress can also affect your friends, your family and your job.
Start your private company data breach claim today
At Hayes Connor Solicitors we help you to claim compensation and steer you through the aftermath of a private company l data breach – minimising the impact on you as much as possible.
With strict time limits in place for making private company data breach claims it’s important to act now to make sure you don’t miss out on your right to claim.
