Compensation for identity theft

As the strength of cybercriminals grows, so does the threat to personal data. Your personal information can be perceived as highly valuable to malicious criminals, many of whom would seek to misuse it for their own profit. Identity theft is one risk to victims who have had their data exposed. As such, where a third-party organisation is responsible for the exposure of information, it can be possible for those affected to claim compensation for identity theft.

Following the Virgin Media data breach, victims were made vulnerable to a number of cybercrime threats, all of which we believe Virgin Media bears some responsibility for. We quickly launched a group action to see that all the 900,000 UK victims of the Virgin Media data breach have an opportunity to claim the compensation they deserve.

As specialists in data breach claims, we have represented thousands of clients in their fight for justice, and have been involved in some of the most high-profile data breach actions in the UK, including those against British Airways and 56 Dean Street Clinic. You can use our online form to start your Virgin Media compensation claim today.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is a type of data misuse in which criminals steal victims’ data, typically for the purposes of fraud. It can often result in identity fraud, which usually involves criminals impersonating the person whose data was stolen, usually as a means of stealing money or obtaining money or credit fraudulently.

Identity theft can lead to criminals making unauthorised transactions on your accounts, using your identifying details to open accounts in your name, or make purchases in your name, or using your information to request new identity documents, such as passports. ID documentation could then be sold on the dark web, and this could cause issues for you personally when people abuse your identity.

Claiming compensation for identity theft, scams and fraud

While it is often difficult to trace the criminals involved, victims may be able to claim compensation for identity theft where it is judged that the actions of a data controller allowed it to occur, or is in some way responsible for the problems and losses caused. For example, in the case of the Virgin Media data breach, a database was left open for unauthorised access for ten months due to employee negligence. Virgin Media’s failings in this regard could leave the company responsible for any subsequent crime facilitated by the data exposure if it was to occur.

As a result, it may be possible for victims to claim compensation for identity theft in our Virgin Media group action, although the risk of this type of crime may be fairly low due to the nature of the information exposed. However, it is perhaps more likely that victims may have been targeted with phishing emails or phone scams, so if they have suffered financial loss as a consequence, they could have these losses reimbursed as part of a claim.

Make your Virgin Media claim

As specialists in data breach claims, we have helped victims to claim compensation for identity theft and a number of other forms of data misuse for many years. The digital landscape already exposes consumers to cybersecurity threats, and it is unacceptable when these threats are strengthened by the negligence of data controllers.

If you were affected by the Virgin Media data breach, now is your chance to claim the compensation you deserve. You can sign up for a No Win, No Fee claim today, and make use of our No Win, No Fee legal representation for eligible clients.

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