A data breach can happen to anyone at any time. When you usually think about data breaches, it’s in relation to an expert hacker who is looking to steal your information and use it for nefarious purposes. However, that isn’t always the case. Sometimes your data can be exposed due to the mistake of company or third party you are working with. Either way, it will lead to the same result. Your data will be shown to the world and it can leave you feeling vulnerable and angry that it happened in the first place.
There are things you can do if you have become the victim of a data breach. One these things is file a Data Breach Claim with an experienced law firm. Not only can we provide expert advice but we can work on your behalf with the third party to get a settlement agreement arranged. That way you can take time to recover from this unsettling experience. Call Gowing Law Solicitors today on 0800 041 8350 or visit our website below for more information:
What are Data Breaches all about?
Due to GDPR, it is the responsibility of the third party to keep the information of their clients completely safe. They should not be showing it to people outside of those involved, including journalists. A data breach can happen when a range of information is exposed to people who are not involved in business at hand. Examples of what could have been stolen, exposed or passed on to third parties include:
- Medical information/documents
- PHI/personal health information
- Social Services documentation
- Information about your finances
- Confidential information
- Contact information
Of course, these are only a few examples of what sort of information could have been stolen through a data breach. Due to this, you may be feeling angry or vulnerable. After all, there may have been personal details in the information that you did not want other people to see. If you still feel a little unsure about whether or not you are eligible to make a data breach claim, take a look at the case study below:
As you can see, Thomas was left feeling vulnerable after he was put at risk. He not only suffered from financial hardships but emotional damages as well. The best way to see if you could be eligible for compensation from this type of claim is to speak to your solicitor. They can look into your case in detail and let you know whether or not you should proceed with your claim.
What sort of Data Breaches are there?
Now that you understand the type of information that is easily stolen away, it’s important to learn about how these sort of breaches can occur in the first place. Sometimes these sort of breaches can happen due to a mistake, however in other places they may happen due to malicious intent. That’s why it’s important to learn exactly what happened if you have suffered from a data breach. Some examples of how you could have experienced a data breach include:
- Your financial data was used fraudulently
- You identity was stolen in order for your credit card to be used
- Your data was accidently lost
- A third party used your data without your consent
- A third party used your personal information without your realizing it
- A company experienced a data leak
- Your data was sent to journalists without your consent
These are only a few examples of what type of breaches could occur. Don’t worry if your own breach is not specifically labelled there. Your solicitor can help you understand precisely why you could be eligible for a claim. In fact, they may even be able to help you understand how much you could be owed if you have experienced damages or losses. Take a look at the chart below to get a better idea of the amount of compensation you could receive:
What should I do if I am the victim of a data breach?
The first thing you need to do is not panic. Data Breaches can feel intimidating as they may not be something that you are used to. In fact, if this happened due to something on the internet, and you are not an expert at maneuvering the World Wide Web, it may leave you feeling terrified. It’s not fair on you. So try to keep calm and then alert the relevant people who are involved in this data breach. They can provide you with advice and make you feel better about the entire situation.
With that said, the company that has been breached in general may send you an alert notice about it. Keep an eye on your financial accounts and credit cards to make sure that unsavory people use them without your knowledge. If they do use them, you can shut them down. You should also watch out for bills for things that you did not purchase. If you notice that your credit card is being used without your permission, you should initiate a fraud alert to freeze your accounts and alert your financial advisors to the fraud.
From there, it’s time to start looking into making a Data Breach Claim. That way you can make sure the third-party who exposed your data is held responsible. Make sure to let your solicitor know about all of the damages that you have experienced as a result of this breach. They can help you move forward with your claim.
Don’t forget to disclose your damages to your solicitor!
Although this has already been covered in a previous paragraph, it’s important that you keep evidence about the sort of damages you have experienced ready for your solicitor to use. Your evidence will be the backbone of your compensation claim. So, make sure to take screen shots and notes. You can also use photographs, videos, witness statements, financial documentation or police reports to back up your claim. From there, your solicitor will make sure to have it filed away before they speak to the other party on your behalf about your claim. They can discuss a settlement agreement that will be agreed by you beforehand. If the other party refuses to accept it, there is a chance that the claim could go to court to be decided over by a judge.
Gowing Law Solicitors are here to help with your Data Breach Claim
Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we understand that any sort of data breach can leave the victim feeling traumatized and anxious. That’s why our solicitors are here to help you get the compensation that you deserve. We can offer your free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to move forward, we can offer you our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never need to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you will always come out on top.
Contact us today by phoning 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker.
Learn more about Data Breach Claims
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