This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33840327

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Carphone Warehouse customer data breach investigated Carphone Warehouse customer data breach investigated
(35 minutes later)
The UK's data watchdog is "making enquiries" after Carphone Warehouse said the personal details of up to 2.4 million of its customers may have been accessed in a cyber-attack.The UK's data watchdog is "making enquiries" after Carphone Warehouse said the personal details of up to 2.4 million of its customers may have been accessed in a cyber-attack.
The attack was discovered on Wednesday, and made public on Saturday.The attack was discovered on Wednesday, and made public on Saturday.
The encrypted credit card details of up to 90,000 people may have been accessed, the mobile phone firm said.The encrypted credit card details of up to 90,000 people may have been accessed, the mobile phone firm said.
The Information Commissioner's Office, which examines data breaches, confirmed it was aware of the incident.The Information Commissioner's Office, which examines data breaches, confirmed it was aware of the incident.
Carphone Warehouse says the data could include names, addresses, dates of birth and bank details and it is contacting all those affected.Carphone Warehouse says the data could include names, addresses, dates of birth and bank details and it is contacting all those affected.
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.
Carphone Warehouse said the "sophisticated" cyber-attack, which happened in the past two weeks, was stopped "straight away" after it was discovered on Wednesday afternoon.Carphone Warehouse said the "sophisticated" cyber-attack, which happened in the past two weeks, was stopped "straight away" after it was discovered on Wednesday afternoon.
The affected division of the company operates the websites OneStopPhoneShop.com, e2save.com and Mobiles.co.uk, and provides services to iD Mobile, TalkTalk Mobile, Talk Mobile and some Carphone Warehouse customers.The affected division of the company operates the websites OneStopPhoneShop.com, e2save.com and Mobiles.co.uk, and provides services to iD Mobile, TalkTalk Mobile, Talk Mobile and some Carphone Warehouse customers.
The retailer's owner, Dixons Carphone, has apologised for the attack and said additional security measures have been brought in. It has also taken the affected websites down.The retailer's owner, Dixons Carphone, has apologised for the attack and said additional security measures have been brought in. It has also taken the affected websites down.
'Upset and scared''Upset and scared'
Carphone Warehouse customer Kerri, from Petersfield, in Hampshire, said she believed her email address had been hacked, and "things stolen", since the breach.Carphone Warehouse customer Kerri, from Petersfield, in Hampshire, said she believed her email address had been hacked, and "things stolen", since the breach.
"I am extremely upset as well as worried and scared," she said."I am extremely upset as well as worried and scared," she said.
"Firms like Carphone Warehouse need to be held accountable for security breaches. I hope they get fined and I can hopefully get what has been stolen back." "Firms like Carphone Warehouse need to be held accountable for security breaches."
Some customers complained they should have been made aware when the breach was first detected.Some customers complained they should have been made aware when the breach was first detected.
Technology analyst Tom Cheesewright said: "Did they [Carphone Warehouse] know what had been breached, what had been lost? Technology analyst Tom Cheesewright said the company may have been trying to assess the level of damage before making the announcement.
"Do you risk, if you announce [the breach] early, that you terrify people and actually the breach has been minimal, or do you do the forensics first... and then announce things once you know for sure. "I don't think we'll know until the Information Commissioner's Office looks at this - whether they did the right thing, whether they were prudent in waiting a few days." he added.
"I don't think we'll know until the Information Commissioner's Office looks at this."
'Ready market''Ready market'
He said it was likely the data would be sold on.He said it was likely the data would be sold on.
"There's a ready market in this sort of information. You might pay £5-10 for one set of credit card details, maybe twice that for a full identity," he said."There's a ready market in this sort of information. You might pay £5-10 for one set of credit card details, maybe twice that for a full identity," he said.
The details may then be used to shop or take out loans: "It's a very good start for a full case of identity theft."The details may then be used to shop or take out loans: "It's a very good start for a full case of identity theft."
He urged customers to watch for - and report - any suspicious activity on their bank accounts or credit reports.He urged customers to watch for - and report - any suspicious activity on their bank accounts or credit reports.
A spokesman for the Information Commissioner's Office said: "We have been made aware of an incident at Carphone Warehouse and are making enquiries."A spokesman for the Information Commissioner's Office said: "We have been made aware of an incident at Carphone Warehouse and are making enquiries."
The Metropolitan Police said its Cyber Crime Unit had been notified of the breach by Carphone Warehouse but no formal allegation of a crime had been made.
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.
Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971
Read our terms and conditions.Read our terms and conditions.