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Funky Pigeon hit with cyber-attack leaving customer data vulnerable

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Funky Pigeon, owned by popular UK retailer WH Smith, has suspended all online orders following concerns that personal data belonging to customers has been exposed during a cyber attack.

The retailer has appointed an external IT specialist to carry out a forensic investigation into the matter to determine exactly how the incident has occurred, whether their customer’s personal data has been affected, and, if so, exactly what data was exposed.

Funky Pigeon have claimed that no sensitive data, such as bank account or credit card details, are impacted. However, there are worries that the following type of personal details have been potentially exposed in the breach:

  • Names
  • Email addresses
  • Telephone numbers
  • Personalised card/gift designs, including personal messages and photographs

A spokesperson for Funky Pigeon expressed, “We have taken our systems offline as a precaution, and we are currently unable to fulfil orders while we work to restore our services.

“We are also writing to all customers over the last 12 months to inform them of these issues. We take the security of customer data extremely seriously and we have temporarily suspended any new orders via the website.

“We have also informed the relevant regulators and law enforcement authorities, and we will continue to review and update our protocols based on what we learn from this incident.”

If you believe your personal data has been jeopardised in the Funky Pigeon cyber attack or you have received direct communication from the retailer confirming you may be a victim, you could be eligible to claim compensation for the breach.

Our team of data breach experts at Hayes Connor are ready to provide expert support and guidance on the claims process. To learn more about how you can make a data breach claim, please get in touch.

What to do if you are concerned about the Funky Pigeon data breach

Organisations have a legal obligation to contact you if there is any concern that your data might have been exposed in a data breach. Funky Pigeon has confirmed that they are contacting all customers who have purchased from the brand in the last 12 months. If you are concerned about your data potentially being affected in the cyber breach but are yet to have received any communication from the retailer, it’s crucial to immediately get in contact with them to clarify your situation.

There is a possibility that, if your details have been compromised in the Funky Pigeon data breach, cyber criminals may reach out to you claiming to be representing the company in an attempt to obtain further sensitive data, such as bank account or credit card details.

It’s important to be aware of all communications, including text messages, emails, and telephone calls you receive, ensuring you do not click on any untrustworthy links and take suitable actions to protect yourself.

There are ways to protect yourself from potential ‘phishing’ attacks. Educating yourself on data breaches is crucial, including the tactics used by cyber criminals and the appropriate steps you should take if you believe your data has been compromised. To learn more about how to reduce the risk, please take the time to read our informing guide on what to do if your data has been stolen in a data breach.

If you are a victim of the Funky Pigeon data breach, you may have grounds to claim compensation for any damages caused. Our team of specialist data breach solicitors can assist with the claims process and help to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.

How Hayes Connor can help you claim compensation for the Funky Pigeon data breach

When organisations record and store your personal data, they are legally required to follow specific rules and regulations, which are designed to protect your details from falling into the wrong hands. Where an organisation fails to keep your personal details secure, you may be left vulnerable and exposed to serious and damaging consequences.

At Hayes Connor, our team of experts are one of the largest data breach teams across the UK, with decades of experience representing clients impacted by data breaches. We have a broad scope of knowledge and have worked with clients in a range of scenarios.

When you choose to work with the team, we will take the time to understand how the Funky Pigeon data breach has impacted your life. From here, we can provide realistic advice about what can be achieved, including the likelihood of success, the amount of compensation you could receive and how our team will guide you through the claims process.

Our team of experts understand the widespread disruptions a data breach can cause to the lives of everybody involved, including finances and your mental wellbeing. Your best interests are our top priority, and we will always aim to keep the process as straightforward as possible, ensuring stress levels can be kept to a minimum.

You can find out more about our data breach expertise and how we handle claims similar to the Funky Pigeon data breach here.

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

To speak to a member of our team about the Funky Pigeon data breach, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 0151 363 5895.