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ACRO Data Breach

ACRO Criminal Records Office Data Breach

ACRO, the UK’s criminal records office, was forced to pull its customer portal offline after a reported cyberattack. As of April 2023, it is still unclear exactly how many people have been affected or what data the cyber attackers have accessed. ACRO said as soon as they were made aware of the incident, they took robust action to take the customer portal offline, and they ensure the matter will be fully investigated.

If you have been affected by the ACRO data breach, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Having your personal data stolen can be very distressing and lead to a range of issues for the individual, including financial losses, identity theft and fraud, and emotional stress. This is why those affected by data breaches are entitled to seek compensation to mitigate the impact.

ACRO sent an email to users early in April 2023 confirming that it had “recently been made aware of a cyber security incident affecting the website between 17 January 2023 and 21 March 2023.”  At the time of writing (17 April 2023), the website is still offline stating:

“Our website is offline as we investigate a technical issue, which we now know to be a cyber security incident. Thank you for your continued patience.”

Step 1

Get in touch using the contact form or the details provided throughout the site.

Step 2

We arrange a free consultation with you to discuss your case.

Step 3

If accepted, we will action your case on a no-win, no-fee basis.

ACRO is a government agency that manages people’s criminal record information. This involves running checks when needed on individuals for any convictions, cautions or ongoing prosecutions, and this data is shared not only with the British police and businesses but with other countries.

The data is often used by employers vetting potential hires and embassies who are processing visa applications and comes from the UK’s Police National Computer via an information sharing agreement ACRO has with the Cabinet Office.

ACRO sent an email to the affected individuals, stating that although there was no evidence of a data breach, the agency suspected some data, including identification and criminal conviction information, had been compromised.

What data was taken in the ACRO data breach?

In an email ACRO sent to users, they confirmed that they had been made aware of a cyber security incident affecting the website between 17th January and 21 March 2023. In this email, it said, “At this time, we have no conclusive evidence that personal data has been affected by the cyber security incident.” They went on to say, “We are very sorry that because of your interaction with ACRO, your data could have been affected, and we are working tirelessly to resolve this matter.”

ACRO said there “does not appear to be any potential risk to your payment information” or to the information or certificates that were dispatched following the application.

 

They stated that the personal information that could have been affected is “any information supplied to us, including identification information and any criminal conviction data.” This information includes:

 

  • Names
  • Address history
  • Extended family information
  • Passport details
  • New foreign address details
  • Photo and data PIN cautions
  • Criminal records, including reprimands, arrests, charges, convictions and legal representation information.

 

This is all very personal, sensitive information, and in the hands of the wrong people could be damaging and cause significant distress.

 

The email also mentioned that if the person had a nominated endorser, professional or other third party on their application, their name, relationship to the application, occupation, phone numbers, email addresses and case reference number could also have been affected.

Who has been affected by the ACRO data breach?

Those who received the email from ACRO were using ACRO’s service as a direct applicant, in support of an application as a nominated endorser, or as a professional administering the application for and with the applicant. It is not clear exactly how many people have been affected and what the implications of this are yet.

 

ACRO has urged users to make sure they use “strong and unique passwords” for their online accounts and has said to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity, such as phishing emails.

 

If you received this email from ACRO, it is likely you have been affected.

Can I claim compensation?

Under the UK’s data protection regulations, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), those who have been the victim of a data breach are entitled to seek compensation. This compensation is intended to help those who have suffered a negative impact from a data breach, including reputational damage and emotional distress, and can also help them recoup any financial losses.

 

Anyone looking to pursue a data breach claim should consult an expert data breach solicitor who can offer specialist advice and support. Here at HNK Solicitors, we have a team of specialist data breach solicitors who have a thorough understanding of the relevant legislation, which can be difficult to understand for those who are not experienced in it. We have years of experience helping clients seek compensation for data breaches. Read our case studies to find out more about some of the recent cases we’ve handled and successfully secured compensation for our clients. 

 

If you are considering pursuing a claim against ACRO, we offer free consultations to discuss the details of your case. If we believe you are entitled to compensation, we can take on your claim on a no-win, no-fee basis. Get in touch with one of our expert data breach solicitors today. Simply fill in our online claim form at the bottom of this page, call us on 0151 668 0814, or send us an email at enquiries@hnksolicitors.com.

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Fill out the below form and one of our advisors will get in touch to arrange a consultation about your claim.


Call 0151 203 1104

enquiries@hnksolicitors.com Mon – Thu 09:00-19:00
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Case Study

Data breach concept image, a laptop on a table with a warning symbol on screen and white text saying data breach

HNK Solicitors secure £7,000 in data breach claim against Cheshire Council East

Recently, HNK Solicitors acted on behalf of a client, who will be referred to as SH, in a data breach claim against Cheshire East Council. The data breach occurred after SH was subject to an anonymous complaint regarding their children. Although the complaint was not upheld, during the initial investigation Cheshire East Council, the Defendant, divulged personal data, and the context of the complaint with an unauthorised person(s). This is a clear breach of SH’s...
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How we can help

HNK Solicitors has a team of specialist data breach solicitors who have years of experience working in the sector and fighting to seek compensation for those who have been the victim of a data breach. Our in-depth understanding of the relevant legal statutes and regulations ensures we can provide the best possible chance of you getting the compensation you deserve.

 

We offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you determine if you can pursue a claim. We also take on claims on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you don’t have to pay a penny upfront, and if your claim is unsuccessful, you don’t owe us anything.

 

If you would like to discuss a potential claim, get in touch with us today to find out more.

Free Consultation

Contact HNK to arrange a free no-obligation consultation where we can offer free advice on whether you can pursue a claim against ACRO.

No-win, no-fee

If we believe you have a case, we can pursue your claim for you on a no-win, no-fee agreement. This means it will not cost you a penny to start your claim, and you won’t have to pay if it is not successful.

Client Communication

If we accept your case against ACRO, our dedicated team of Data Protection Solicitors will handle everything for you and keep you up to date throughout the whole process.

SPEAK TO OUR TEAM

Call us on - 0151 203 1104 | Email us at - enquiries@hnksolicitors.com
Ellen BrownEllen Brown
08:39 31 May 23
Positive service. Treated me with kindness and respect. Didn't make me uncomfortable whilst doing their enquiries.Kept me in the loop at all times and helped me come to a decision that best suited me.Thank you to Michael Wharton for making the effort to help me :)
Al TommoAl Tommo
20:09 19 May 23
Very good service, couldn’t be happier with how they handled my claim and we also got justice and compensated rightly! 5 stars 10/10 does what it says on the tin thank you to the team at Hicks Newton Kenyon
••••
06:45 13 May 23
I was arrested under suspicion of several offences (was not charged with any). This was very Concerning since I was a top law student at the time, gaining a mid 1st for my criminal law work and Human Rights work - The solicitor at this firm involved in my case against the Police clearly knew nothing about criminal law, evidence or HR’s. As none of it happened, I was merely acting within my human rights, hence why the CPS ordered the Police to drop the whole case against me, which they did and with NFA.The solicitor at this firm dealing with my matters should not be a solicitor, as she does not know the law! She was also extremely rude, would not allow me to speak (kept interrupting and talking over me ) was entitled and patronising!I think they updated me just twice in a year!! I will be reporting this firm to the SRA, who are their regulatory body. Absolutely disgusted and a disgrace to the profession.Yes, I was a real client of theirs and this is a bona fida review - I am not at any liberty to give my name, if I don’t wish to.
brian morhanbrian morhan
17:01 26 Apr 23
Absolutely brilliant. They kept me in the loop throughout the process. I am very happy with the result. Very professional team. I would 100 percent recommend them. Thank you Michael.
Gary JonesGary Jones
18:13 16 Mar 23
A rare combination of a very professional company coupled with excellent staff who are equally caring and understanding in their appraoch, brilliant.Highly recommended.
Dan MalcomDan Malcom
17:27 09 Mar 23
who is michelle mcmahonwhy is hnk solicitors Instagram account full of fake followers bot accounts and purchase to follow accountswhy does hnk solicitors most predominantly deal with cases involving white caucasian males and white caucasian females paying out more within the tens of thousands to the hundreds of thousands when white but if any other colour race or religion pays out lesshow much much does each solicitors at higgs newton kenyon solicitors make if most cases are worth £5000 with a waiting time of (12) twelve months
Ashley whitehouseAshley whitehouse
10:11 27 Feb 23
I was assaulted which was a bad experience and left me with a head scar. I decided to use Higgs Newton Kenyon and overall I was impressed with the service they provided me.I was happy with the outcome and I would definitely recommend them.
amber-marie shoemarkamber-marie shoemark
16:30 24 Feb 23
Highly recommend using higgs Newton Kenyon solicitors I most definitely got my justice I deserved could not of done it with out Michael support I got the support and help the very first day Michael got in contact with me and all the support carried on all the way to the last day
M EdgertonM Edgerton
13:29 30 Jan 23
I contacted Higgs Newton Kenyon over a distressing experience with the police and feeling very vulnerable. Lynne Hughes helped me with my case and was really understanding and empathetic. It meant a lot to have someone speak for me and the outcome of the case was better than I expected. Thanks to their service I have been able to put this experience behind me and move on.Would recommend.
Charlie AbbottCharlie Abbott
10:17 30 Jan 23
I received a fantastic, professional service from start to finish. Most importantly I got the justice I deserved due to the hard work of my case handler Lyne Hughes. I would highly recommend Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors.
Aaron McLeodAaron McLeod
18:34 15 Nov 22
Fantastic solicitors, they explained everything to me in great detail, I understood everything they said, always kind and well mannered on the phone and email, great experience with them. Will definitely use them again if need be in the future.
Funandplayful carmellaFunandplayful carmella
17:48 10 Nov 22
Highly professional & thorough. I'm very happy with the service this firm provided & empathy shown & seeking justice on our behalf thank you for all that worked on my case especially Mrs L Hughes.
robin mohamedrobin mohamed
18:27 18 Oct 22
Higgs Newton Kenyon took on my case when others had said they would not. The Paralegal kept me updated as things progressed and I am very impressed with the outcome and the overall handling of my case.Once again thank you for your services and I would highly recommend.
Wonders of LondonWonders of London
08:53 23 Sep 22
They helped us with a claim against police for false imprisonment (stop and search). Very happy with the level of service provided and with the settlement achieved. We will now use the money we got to help someone in need here in London.
yard skiyard ski
12:33 23 Jul 22
I would recommend HNK solicitors as they offer a first class professional service. Call back's and emails to update me with my case and the staff were excellent. Thank you Helen and the team.
Mohammed AbdelmoniemMohammed Abdelmoniem
16:29 11 Jan 22
Absolutely an amazing firm and I would highly recommend them to anyone who has a similar case. I was wrongfully arrested for a crime that I did not do and I approached this firm HNK Solictors for some help and support. After viewing all the evidence, they took the case on. It took a year for the amazing good news to come out. Their hard work and dedication including their professional skills and expertise, has given me the result that I was hoping for. Vivian Lee was amazing and her professional manner in which she dealt with me and the case was remarkable. Well done, Vivian and keep up the good work. Fantastic work!
Ansar HussainAnsar Hussain
15:16 24 Nov 21
Absolutely amazing firm took my case on against the police after wrongful arrest and detention. They were very professional,informative and efficient. As I was advised by them that I had a strong chance of success and success is what they delivered. Jessica Smith thank you for all your hard work.
Maddox XxMaddox Xx
12:03 23 Nov 21
Brilliant Firm and people to deal with, Jessica and the team were professional, i could not thank them enough for resolving my case in a timely manner and keeping me updated through out the whole process. Highly recommend them
Jon BarnesJon Barnes
23:17 17 Nov 21
Like to say thank you to the team who help win the case against the police. Very efficient and professional. I will definitely recommend 👌
Vickie WatsonVickie Watson
01:38 12 Nov 21
Great solicitors. Michael was very helpful and friendly and I would like to say thank you for his help. Definitely recommend these solicitors. Thank you 🙂🙂
Ciara BeveridgeCiara Beveridge
11:31 10 Nov 21
Very quick to get everything sorted. Would phone me and update me on the progress. Highly recommend
christine stockwellchristine stockwell
07:26 30 Sep 21
Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors have been brilliant even through the pandemic, it must be hard to do, they are very informative all the time great value and kind thank you
Frances SJ FinchFrances SJ Finch
10:04 28 Sep 21
I can’t quite put into words how brilliant these solicitors are, they provide a fantastic service and are very gentle when discussing sensitive subjects. Michael has been so incredibly helpful and I would like to send him a massive thanks for everything he has done for me. The receptionist has always also been very polite, friendly and welcoming and I would also like to thank her for supplying a kind atmosphere whenever I have needed to contact the team.
Danny OwenDanny Owen
14:12 09 Aug 21
Highly recommended, I had a claim against the police for an unlawful stop and search and false imprisonment which was has been settled with compensation. I had to put very little effort in and I was kept continually up to date. Vivien Lee dealing with my case could not have been more polite professional and helpful. I won’t be using anyone other than HNK solicitors from now on.
Arome akuboArome akubo
20:34 04 Aug 21
These guys practically won me some cash from BA data breach case. They initiated it and executed it with utmost professionalism without me breaking a sweat. I fully recommend them without any reservations.
Stephen JohnsonStephen Johnson
19:02 02 Aug 21
Absolutely amazing helped me get a good result against merseyside police. very quick and professional definitely would recommend them to anyone will use again ..thank you guys
Tuyet OlvestedtTuyet Olvestedt
10:06 14 Jul 21
Very attentive and thorough service.They communicate regularly and clearly via phone and email. Would absolutely recommend them.Many thanks
Marie Louise RothwellMarie Louise Rothwell
10:51 05 Jul 21
I am very happy with the service I got they were ever so good at dealing with my matter and very polite. They were also very helpful with giving me great advice I would definitely use their services again in the near future I am very happy with the outcome of my case
Stephen StrattonStephen Stratton
10:09 28 Jun 21
Following repeated violations and data protections concerns by the police I was able to secure a settlement which I am very happy with. Demi and her team were helpful, professional and informative throughout. I would highly recommend contacting HNK Solicitors for initial advice with any legal matters.
Sandra WilliamsSandra Williams
11:26 23 Jun 21
After a very Violated experience with the police, my solicitor Demi was there step by step, keeping me up to date with everything. If I ever needed Higgs Newton Kenyon I again I wouldn't hesitate to contact them. Thank you.
Jason PatrickJason Patrick
19:46 10 May 21
I would highly recommend this firm. They have acted on my behalf twice now and have successfully won compensation for both cases. They are a very professional team of solicitors with expansive knowledge of the law. If you want a good result with sound honest advice, then this firm is in my opinion one the best and not afraid to challenge injustice.Thank you,Yours sincerelyJason Patrick
Lauren Jade DouganLauren Jade Dougan
12:47 20 Apr 21
This firm is absolutely amazing. I have been so pleased with how my case was handled and the solicitors kept me informed every step of the way. I am also very pleased with the outcome. I would definitely recommend this firm to anybody.
frederick moorefrederick moore
20:07 08 Apr 21
Excellent company to deal with. Highly professional, responsive to client needs and very thorough. Would recommend.
Megan MaloneyMegan Maloney
14:05 08 Mar 21
So happy with my results worked with Micheal he won my case couldn’t be any more professional at what he does so happy With the outcome thank you so much Micheal .
Charmaine GalleyCharmaine Galley
14:11 07 Sep 20
I can't thank you all enough for the hard work you put into my case. I'm so very grateful xxx
Jeepaz Creepaz MusicJeepaz Creepaz Music
09:45 25 Aug 20
Our go to when one of your artist was wrongfully arrested by the police. They helped us to resolve the issue in a timely fashion.
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