Anger as Carphone Warehouse customers demand answers after cyber attack

Carphone Warehouse waited three days before informing customers their bank details may have been accessed by criminals

Carphone Warehouse customers have reacted angrily on social media to the news that their personal data may have been stolen by cyber criminals following an attack on Wednesday (August 5).

Dixons Carphone, Carphone Warehouse’s parent company, confirmed that the attack could affect up to 2.4 million customers’ addresses, bank details and dates of birth. Up to 90,000 customers’ credit card details may have also been stolen. According to reports, customers who connect through the retailer’s ecommerce brands, including e2save, OneStopPhoneShop and Mobiles.co.uk, may have been affected. Information from customers who connect directly through the Carphone Warehouse store or website are understood not to have been stolen.

Some customers questioned why Carphone didn’t place additional security measures before the data breach. Mark Johnson (@DragoninLondon) tweeted: “Curious as to why the ‘additional security measures’ weren’t in place at #carphonewarehouse before their hack…”

Others voiced their annoyance at having to sort out this problem with their banks. jilletteblue (@jilletteblue) tweeted: “Oh Bloody marvelous. Perfect end to my week. Now gotta call bank to red flag this latest f*ck up.”

Gareth Murtah (@garethjmurtagh) tweeted: “Thank you @CPWTweets I now have had to cancel my bank card.”

Some Twitter users took a swipe at Carphone Warehouse’s customer service. Fraser Slater (@FraserSlater) tweeted: “Carphone warehouse have no guidance on website and phone lines are closed, terrible customer service.”

Dixons Carphone group CEO Sebastian James issued a statement on Saturday August 8, saying that the retailer is contacting those affected by the breach and that the company is reviewing its security.

“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,” said James. “We are, of course, informing anyone that may have been affected, and have put in place additional security measures.”

If you have been affected by the Carphone Warehouse cyber attack, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the editor michaelg@mobilenewscwp.co.uk or the editorial team on 020 7278 0795.