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270,000 Users’ Data Hacked from the People’s Energy Database Following Data Breach

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People’s Energy customers are at risk after a data breach exposes personal information.

Edinburgh-based clean energy company People’s Energy have suffered a serious cyber attack, resulting in their entire database being stolen. This database included sensitive personal details on all 270,000 of its customers.

The customer data exposed includes:

  • Names
  • Addresses
  • Dates of birth
  • Phone numbers

15 small business customers of People’s Energy have also had their financial details accessed, including their sort codes and bank account details.

The breach was discovered on the morning of the 16th December and was subsequently reported by People’s Energy to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the energy regulator Ofgem, the National Centre for Cyber-Security and the police.

People’s Energy has customers across Scotland, England and Wales who should all now have been notified, according to the company.

Co-founder Karin Sode told BBC News that the company was investigating the breach of its systems and had hired independent experts to assist, but so far they have no information about the identity of the hackers.

Ms Sode said: "This is a big blow in every way. We want people to feel they can trust us. This was not part of the plan. We're upset and sorry."

Wondering if you may be entitled to compensation for the People’s Energy data breach? Please get in touch.

What to do if You Have Been Affected by the People’s Energy Data Breach

If your details were exposed in the People’s Energy hack, you should have already been contacted by the company to confirm this. If you haven’t heard from them and are concerned you are at risk, you should get in contact with People’s Energy directly.

Otherwise, if you are one of the unlucky 270,000 victims of this data breach whose personal details have been stolen, you may be at risk of being targeted in a range of fraudulent scams. This data may be used to target you or your bank account, or even steal your identity, so taking steps to ensure this does not happen is crucial.

To start with, head to haveibeenpwned.com to see if any of your information has been exposed. Otherwise, you should remain vigilant for phishing attacks targeted at you, which may be sent to you via email, text or phone. Be sure to steer clear from clicking any links, and do not fall victim to clever phone hackers who may trick you into handing over more information and money.

You should also be sure to keep an eye on your bank account to record any suspicious activity. If you are concerned that your bank details are at risk of being used, you should contact your bank straight away to see what they suggest. To be safe, you may need to have a new card issued to you.

For further information, our guide on what to do if your data has been stolen in a data breach should give you a place to start.

How Can Hayes Connor Help the Victims of the People’s Energy Breach?

All businesses have a duty to their customers to protect their data from being accessed by external sources. We put our trust in these companies to protect our details so we can remain safe from fraudulent activity. This is why, when a mistake like this occurs, those affected will usually have grounds to claim data breach compensation.

Hayes Connor has one of the largest teams of data breach claims specialists in the country, boasting a wealth of experience in representing clients from similar breaches. Our friendly team are equipped to advise you on whether you have grounds for a claim, the level of compensation you may be entitled to, and what you need to do to start a claim.

We understand the emotional impact a data breach can have on an individual. So, not only do we want to help you get the compensation you deserve, we want to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.

You can find out more about our expertise and how we handle data breach claims here.

To start a claim, you can use our online claim form.

To speak to a member of our team, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 0330 041 5130.