Data Breach Claims.

Dealing with hundreds of different types of data breach cases, the 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 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.

We can help you make claims against a wide range of private organisations and businesses already fined by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). In many cases, where a breach occurs, you won’t be the only person making a claim. In such circumstances, it is often worth joining a group action claim. We are currently involved in the following group actions cases:

It’s almost impossible to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television without hearing about how some big company has been hacked with thousands of customers put at risk. But, while these cases are important, every day smaller data breaches are causing misery and upset to people across the UK.

And while these incidents don’t make the headlines, for those involved the experience can be devastating.

Crucially, in most cases, these data breaches aren’t caused by scammers trying to hack big businesses, but by simple human errors. At Hayes Connor, our experts deal with a significant volume of data breach cases each day. During our work, we see many different types of claims and how data breaches can affect people in different ways.

Helping individuals claim compensation for damages and/ or distress caused by violations of the Data Protection Act, we help with claims against:

Here are a few steps to help protect your personal information following a data breach:

1. If you are worried that your financial details have been exposed, contact your bank/credit card provider immediately and ask them to keep a close eye on your account and request a new card

2. Consider a credit freeze until the matter is resolved

3. Beware of fraudsters who attempt to gather personal information (phishing)

4. Report any suspected phishing attempts to the police and relevant authorities (Action Fraud)

5. Look out for any bills or emails showing goods or services you haven’t ordered, or any unfamiliar transactions on your account and alert your bank or card provider immediately if there is any suspicious activity

6. Keep an eye on your credit score for any unexpected dips (register for updates)

7. Let the credit reference agencies know of any activity that was not down to you

8. Register with the Cifas protective registration service. This will slow down credit applications made in your name with additional verification checks made to ascertain that the applicant is actually you

9. Beware of any unsolicited communications that refer you to a web page asking for personal data

10. Register with a suitable fraud prevention service

11. Change your passwords on all your accounts.

For more advice on how to keep your data safe, follow our #NotJustHackers campaign on Twitter and Facebook.

If your data has been breached in a way that has caused you damage or distress, we can seek compensation on your behalf. Likewise, if you suspect your data has been mishandled or lost, we can check whether this is the case, and if so, start the claims process.

To start, we’ll contact the organisation in question, and use any information provided by the ICO, to check if you have had your data breached (if the company has not admitted as much already). Once we have established that your data has been violated – and the extent of this failing – we’ll start the claims procedure on your behalf. We’ll only do this with your explicit agreement.

Details of any breaches are published on the ICO website. We can also keep you updated on upcoming and current ICO data breach claim investigations.

Find out more about making a data breach compensation claim, or contact us today for a free initial assessment.

Our expert, friendly team will advise you on whether you have a valid claim and will be pleased to answer any questions you might have. If you are not sure whether your information has been misused or mishandled, we can find this out for you.

If we believe you have a substantial, complex case, we’ll go through your options with you and may be able to act for you on a NO WIN, NO FEE basis. For smaller claims, our quick assessment form will help you to start your claim, quickly and easily. So you can be sure of receiving your compensation in the shortest possible time.

We can help you to claim compensation for data protection breaches, data leaks, human rights breaches, and the misuse of personal information.

At Hayes Connor Solicitors, we understand that making a compensation claim can be stressful; especially where your sensitive information has already been breached. That’s why we remove the jargon from the process and make sure you always know what’s happening with your case.

Our process is fully compliant with ICO guidance, and we never put your details at risk.

Read some of the lovely things our clients have said about us.

A data breach can occur in any industry, business, school, organisation, or government department (e.g. the police, the NHS and the social services).

Most often, breaches happen in service-based industries where there is direct contact with the public. Over the last few years, mobile phone networks, tech firms, retailers, and banks have all hit the headlines due to data security breaches.

Types of data protection compensation claims include:

To claim compensation, you must be able to prove that you suffered as a result of the breach. This includes financial and medical harm, as well as anguish and anxiety.

Financial losses.

A 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 online 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. So being told to just “get over it” isn’t helpful.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is an independent authority, set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, and to promote openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. While the ICO does not award compensation, it does have the power to impose hefty fines on organisations in breach of their duties.

You have the right to ask the ICO to assess if an organisation breached the Data Protection Act.

If the ICO believes that the organisation in question broke the law, you can use this information in court to help prove your claim. However, the judge may not agree with the ICO’s view. While you can make a compensation claim against a company without first going to the ICO, we would always recommend this as a first step.

You may not know that your data has been breached until you hear that a company has been fined by the ICO. 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.

If you have already contacted the ICO about a potential breach, Hayes Connor Solicitors can still investigate your claim. We will work with the ICO to gather as much evidence as possible to help our clients succeed.