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Carphone Warehouse in customer data breach Carphone Warehouse in customer data breach
(35 minutes later)
Personal details of up to 2.4 million Carphone Warehouse customers may have been accessed in a cyber-attack, the mobile phone retailer says.Personal details of up to 2.4 million Carphone Warehouse customers may have been accessed in a cyber-attack, the mobile phone retailer says.
Up to 90,000 customers may also have had their encrypted credit card details accessed, it said in a statement.Up to 90,000 customers may also have had their encrypted credit card details accessed, it said in a statement.
While the "vast majority" of Carphone Warehouse customers are unaffected, the breach does concern some of the company's separately managed divisions.While the "vast majority" of Carphone Warehouse customers are unaffected, the breach does concern some of the company's separately managed divisions.
The retailer's owner, Dixons Carphone, said it was very sorry for the attack.The retailer's owner, Dixons Carphone, said it was very sorry for the attack.
The affected part of the company operates the OneStopPhoneShop.com, e2save.com and Mobiles.co.uk websites.The affected part of the company operates the OneStopPhoneShop.com, e2save.com and Mobiles.co.uk websites.
It also provides services to iD Mobile, TalkTalk Mobile, Talk Mobile and some Carphone Warehouse customers.It also provides services to iD Mobile, TalkTalk Mobile, Talk Mobile and some Carphone Warehouse customers.
Sebastian James, chief executive of Dixons Carphone, said: "We are, of course, informing anyone that may have been affected, and have put in place additional security measures.Sebastian James, chief executive of Dixons Carphone, said: "We are, of course, informing anyone that may have been affected, and have put in place additional security measures.
"We take the security of customer data extremely seriously, and we are very sorry that people have been affected by this attack on our systems.""We take the security of customer data extremely seriously, and we are very sorry that people have been affected by this attack on our systems."
Carphone Warehouse said it was informing all customers who may have been affected of the breach.Carphone Warehouse said it was informing all customers who may have been affected of the breach.
It will also advise affected individuals on how to reduce the risk of further consequences arising from the data leak.It will also advise affected individuals on how to reduce the risk of further consequences arising from the data leak.
What can those affected do?What can those affected do?
Those who think they have been the victim of fraud should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.Those who think they have been the victim of fraud should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Craig Gee-Cloth, from Bolton, told the BBC he has been contacted by mobiles.co.uk about the breach via letter.Craig Gee-Cloth, from Bolton, told the BBC he has been contacted by mobiles.co.uk about the breach via letter.
"I can't contact the bank until after the weekend so am worried about what offences can be committed. Fraudsters can do anything with that information.""I can't contact the bank until after the weekend so am worried about what offences can be committed. Fraudsters can do anything with that information."
He said he is also unhappy about now having to pay to check his credit files.He said he is also unhappy about now having to pay to check his credit files.
The company's investigation found that the data could have included names, addresses, dates of birth and bank details.The company's investigation found that the data could have included names, addresses, dates of birth and bank details.
A Carphone Warehouse spokesman said the attack was stopped "straight away" after it was discovered on Wednesday afternoon.A Carphone Warehouse spokesman said the attack was stopped "straight away" after it was discovered on Wednesday afternoon.
He also said the breach was likely to have occurred at some point "within the last two weeks before Wednesday afternoon".He also said the breach was likely to have occurred at some point "within the last two weeks before Wednesday afternoon".
The BBC's Joe Lynam says Carphone Warehouse first became aware of the problem on 5 August.The BBC's Joe Lynam says Carphone Warehouse first became aware of the problem on 5 August.
"In that time, 72 hours, they will say we need to find the depth of the breach, but let's say some people do have their cards compromised," he said."In that time, 72 hours, they will say we need to find the depth of the breach, but let's say some people do have their cards compromised," he said.
"They will be livid that they weren't told straight away, so they could cancel those cards.""They will be livid that they weren't told straight away, so they could cancel those cards."
Talk Talk used to be owned by Carphone Warehouse but is a separate company - Carphone Warehouse now has contractual ties to it.Talk Talk used to be owned by Carphone Warehouse but is a separate company - Carphone Warehouse now has contractual ties to it.
But 480,000 Talk Talk Mobile customers are affected by this breach.But 480,000 Talk Talk Mobile customers are affected by this breach.
Carphone Warehouse took the affected websites down itself, to protect data once the problem was recognised.Carphone Warehouse took the affected websites down itself, to protect data once the problem was recognised.
Customer information for Currys and PC World - and the "vast majority" of Carphone Warehouse - is held on separate systems and was not accessed during the attack, the company added.Customer information for Currys and PC World - and the "vast majority" of Carphone Warehouse - is held on separate systems and was not accessed during the attack, the company added.
Previous data breaches
The Information Commissioner's Office, which is the regulator in the area of personal data, can impose fines of up to £500,000 if a company is found to have not done enough to protect its customers' personal information.The Information Commissioner's Office, which is the regulator in the area of personal data, can impose fines of up to £500,000 if a company is found to have not done enough to protect its customers' personal information.
Dixons Carphone was formed last year by the merger of Carphone Warehouse and Dixons Retail.Dixons Carphone was formed last year by the merger of Carphone Warehouse and Dixons Retail.
In July it reported a 21% jump in profits in its first annual results since the merger that created the mobile phone and electrical goods firm.In July it reported a 21% jump in profits in its first annual results since the merger that created the mobile phone and electrical goods firm.
In the UK and Ireland, where it trades under the Carphone Warehouse, Currys and PC World names, sales rose by 8%.In the UK and Ireland, where it trades under the Carphone Warehouse, Currys and PC World names, sales rose by 8%.
Are you a Carphone Warehouse customer? Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you a Carphone Warehouse customer? Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. You can also tweet your stories to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text 61124. If you are outside the UK, send them to the international number +44 7624 800 100.If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. You can also tweet your stories to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text 61124. If you are outside the UK, send them to the international number +44 7624 800 100.
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