Your private and confidential data is exactly that – private AND confidential. Everyone storing it anywhere on or offline has a legal responsibility to protect it. And that means EVERYONE. From the smallest of online stores, to the largest of international tech companies, from that business trip hotel in Hull to Facebook to Uber to HMRC.

You’ve probably heard of GDPR – it stands for General Data Protection Regulation. Your data. Your protection.

No ifs, no buts, just a legal obligation to make sure that when your data is stored it’s stored absolutely securely. Electronically secure from criminal hacks and cyber theft and also physically secure on properly encrypted and password protected hardware such as laptops, USB sticks, external drives and even paper.

Have You Suffered a Data Breach?

How would you even know? Maybe you’ve noticed something strange with an online account. Or perhaps you’ve experienced difficulty obtaining credit.

You shouldn’t be left guessing when it comes to the protection of your personal information. If anyone holding your data has suffered either a data breach be it accidental or deliberate, they must tell you. They must also tell the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office). It’s the law.

And when they do tell you, if you’re not happy with their explanation, ask for more information – you’re entitled to know exactly what happened.

What to do if You Have Suffered an Electronic Data Breach

First things first, don’t take chances. DO change your passwords. Then think hard about the information that might have been compromised. Your bank account? Health records? Employment records? What other accounts might have been accessed? Who else do you need to warn about the data breach so they can keep track of what’s going on?

Do you need the compromised account/s? Can you close them and create new ones?

Keep a close eye on the media and check the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) website for more information.

Data Breach Compensation

 Did you know that you may be entitled to claim damages for the distress caused? Or that you can place an injunction to prevent further use of your data?

In most distress claims the minimum level of damages is between £750 to £1,000. If the breach has caused you specific losses and damages or was particularly sensitive in nature then the amount of compensation could be significantly higher.

Are you entitled to damages? Contact us now to find out.

Our advice is free and we always work on a no win-no fee basis. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t pay a penny.

What to do if you Have Suffered a Physical Data Breach

In truth it’s unlikely you’ll even know there’s a problem until you get a letter from the company holding your compromised data.

In the letter you should be given all the information you need  to know what to do next. Need more , ask them for a more detailed explanation. They have a responsibility to tell you and you have the right to know.

Ask yourself, what might be the implications of the breach? Does it affect your online information too? Do you need to change passwords or open new accounts?

As with an electronic data breach be sure to keep a close eye on the media and check the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) website for more information.

Again…  did you know that your may be entitled to claim damages or place an injunction to prevent further use of your data? Find out all you need to know. Contact us now.

Are you entitled to damages?  Contact us now to find out.

Why Fletchers

 Fletchers Data Claims is a legal service provided by Fletchers Solicitors, a Top 100 UK Law Firm with over 30 years experience of fighting for consumer rights. If you have been the victim of a data breach then you may be entitled to claim for compensation for any losses or damage caused, as well as the distress that the incident has caused. The Fletchers Data Claims service is there to represent your interests following a data breach and help you claim back the compensation you are entitled to either through an individual claim against the organisation that breached your data or in some cases, through representing you and others are part of a large group action (often called a ‘class action’).