UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO ACCEPT NEW CASES IN THIS MATTER.
Because of the nature of the data compromised in the cyberattack, this is a very serious data protection breach indeed.
Information stolen from Trusted Quid includes:
- Names
- Addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Dates of birth
- Employment information
- Bank account information
Having the above information in the hands of criminals and fraudsters is very, very serious for the victims of the Trusted Quid data breach… Information that can be used to personally identify someone, together with employment and financial information, is a catalyst for fraudulent activity.
The dangers Trusted Quid breach victims now face
We saw from the TalkTalk hack that criminals are still contacting people and posing as TalkTalk by using information possibly stolen from the hack.
The victims are deceived into thinking they’re actually speaking to someone employed by TalkTalk. The fraudsters are armed with real details about issues raised on accounts and have used this information to trick current and former TalkTalk customers and steal money from them.
Fraudsters could use the information stolen from Trusted Quid to do all sorts – set up financial accounts, call victims and commit fraud using personally identifiable information, or hack into other accounts by having enough information to do so.
Trusted Quid are said to be in contact with customers affected by the data breach, but the damage is done and the danger is real.
How the Trusted Quid data breach happened
Data was stolen from Trusted Quid’s website which was illegally accessed. Loan applications made through their website between July 2016 and February 2018 is said to be the data stolen in the breach.
Given that Trusted Quid have already publicly accepted that they have now secured their systems, we can only assume that their systems were not secure enough when the breach occurred. If this is the case, it is Trusted Quid who will be responsible for compensating victims of this data breach in our view. Although no one is completely safe from being hacked, organisations like Trusted Quid must ensure their customers’ data is secure.
They have a legal obligation to do so.
Are you affected by the Trusted Quid data breach?
We have already been contacted by Trusted Quid victims who have been notified that their data has been stolen in this breach. If you have been affected, we may be able to help you.
UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO ACCEPT NEW CASES IN THIS MATTER.
For advice about other data breach matters, please call the team on 0800 634 75 75 now.