Renault UK customers’ data stolen in third-party breach

Close-up of new cars in the showroom of the dealership. Concept of buying, leasing, insurance.

Car manufacturer Renault UK has informed customers that their personal data may have been breached following a cyberattack on one of its third-party service providers. They sent an email to customers stating that, although their own systems were not breached, attackers managed to gain access to the data via the external provider’s systems.

Renault did not specify how many people may have been affected by this breach. They said the affected people will be notified and that victims may include a wider pool of people who had entered competitions or shared data with the car company without purchasing a vehicle.

What data has been breached?

According to an email sent by Renault UK to their customers, the exposed data could include customers:

First name and surname
Gender
Phone number
Email address
Postal address
Vehicle registration number
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Renault states that it does not hold bank or financial account details, so they would be unaffected by this breach.

The company states that it was an isolated incident and has since been contained. Renault states that they are cooperating with the third-party provider and have notified the relevant authorities. They have told customers to remain alert for anyone who contacts them seeking personal information, and have stressed it will never ask for passwords over email or phone.

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An increase in cyberattacks targeting the automotive sector

This data breach comes amid a sudden increase in cyber-attacks targeting automakers and suppliers. Since the Arnold Clark data breach in 2022, there has been an influx of reports of hackers targeting car brands. The Arnold Clark data breach was huge, affecting potentially tens of thousands of individuals. This led to sensitive customer data being shared online. This seems to only have been the beginning of a series of attacks targeting the automotive industry.

Only recently, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced they had suffered a high cyberattack which halted production for many weeks. Another incident targeted Stellantis, the maker of Jeep, Fiat, Dodge, Maserati, Peugeot, and others. They reported that a third-party service provider’s systems were hacked, which exposed customer contact details.

Laws around the storage of data

Companies like Renault have a duty to protect customer data. Any company that stores people’s personal data must abide by the rules and regulations within the UK General Data Protection Regulations and the Data Protection Act 2018. This includes protecting individuals’ privacy and maintaining the security of their data.

Any company that does not follow UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation could be subject to a fine and legal action. If your data has been breached by Renault UK, you could be entitled to claim compensation through a civil claim against the company.

How to make a data breach claim

If your data has been breached by Renault or any other company, and you have confirmation that your data was breached or you have been affected by it, you could make a data breach claim. A data breach claim is a civil claim made against a company or organisation with the aim of recouping any losses suffered due to the breach and gaining compensation for the ordeal.

A data breach can have some serious consequences for individuals. This includes identity theft and fraud, monetary losses, and distress. The thought of an unauthorised individual having access to your personal data can be an extremely troubling thought, and can even put individuals’ safety at risk in extreme circumstances. Therefore, when making a claim, you can not only claim for any potential damages or losses suffered, but also for the emotional stress caused.

When making a data breach claim, it is recommended that you get help from a specialist data breach claim solicitor. This is because they understand all the relevant laws and legislation and can ensure you get the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. Once you have instructed a data breach solicitor to work on your claim, they will handle the process for you.

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HNK Solicitors can help with your data breach claim

HNK Solicitors has a team of dedicated data breach solicitors who can help you successfully claim compensation for a breach of your data. We have many years of experience helping people claim compensation for breaches of their data, and work with both individual and group action cases.

Our specialist team is on hand to help every step of the way, gathering evidence to support your claim and submitting responses on your behalf. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and can even take on cases on a no-win, no-fee basis. This means you do not have to pay a penny upfront to start your claim, and only pay a percentage if your claim is successful.

If you’re thinking of making a data breach claim or want to learn more about the process, get in touch with our team today. Call on 0151 271 5387 or email enquiries@hnksolicitors.com. Alternatively, fill in one of the online claim forms on our website, and we’ll be in touch for more information.