Simplify Group Suffer Cyber-Attack Leaving Customers at Risk of Data Breach
A cyber-attack against a group of conveyancing brands owned by Simplify Group left thousands of home buyers unable to complete their purchases – as well as opening them up to the threat of a data breach.
In November, Simplify was forced to take down several of its online systems, preventing buyers and sellers from being unable to proceed or complete their transactions.
The cyber-attack affected several sub-brands of Simplify Group, including:
- My Home Move
- Move with us
- Premier Property Lawyers
- JS Law
- DC Law
- Advantage Property Lawyers
Customers from all of these brands were left in the dark, with their transactions being put on hold indefinitely while Simplify sought to restore its systems.
A spokesperson for Simplify has since informed that the company has now restored its IT systems sufficiently to enable clients to complete their property moves.
However, concerns have been raised by individuals who have noted that Simplify have been unable to confirm exactly how the incident took place and whether any personal data has been exposed.
This is especially concerning, as anyone effected by the incident will now be left waiting in limbo to discover whether or not they are also victims of a significant data breach.
Richard Forrest, Legal Director at Hayes Connor, commented on the matter, saying: “We have already been contacted by a number of people who are worried about the impact this could have on them at a time when they are already under a significant amount of stress. This obviously has added to that and just before Christmas as well.
“It’s well known that buying or selling a home is one of the most difficult times anyone can face so to be facing extra worry is something none of these people want. To make matters worse we are still unclear exactly what has happened and what data has been beached.
“Home moves involve a huge amount of personal data which can be very valuable to the wrong sort of people so Simplify have a duty to all of their customers to let people know what has happened, why and how exactly they have been affected, and to do so immediately. Any further delay will just add to the worry people are already suffering just when they least need that extra stress.”
If you receive confirmation that your data has been exposed by Simplify Group, or you have strong reason to believe that this is the case, you are likely to be owed compensation.
Hayes Connor have already had initial instructions from clients regarding the incident and are ready to advise anyone else who may have been affected by the Simplify Group data breach. To find out more about how you can make a claim, please get in touch.