Hacking victims also hit by fraud

Nearly half of people whose data has been stolen by hackers go on to be victims of fraud, research from Which? suggests.

The organisation’ s survey of more than 1,300 members found around a quarter (23 per cent) said they had their data compromised following a breach involving a company or organisation. Some 46 per cent of people whose data was stolen by hackers then went on to experience fraud.

The consumer group wants to see tough penalties enforced for firms that fail to prevent data breaches.

When data breaches hap - p en, criminals may then go on to buy stolen information such as passwords or credit card and bank details, as well as using other personal details to pose more convincingly as victims’ banks and other trusted organisations, perhaps through a cold call or email.

Which? has heard from people who said their mental health had been affected. It said victims had also struggled to get any form of redress from the companies that failed to protect their personal data.

Which? had 515 members take part, submitting a total of 610 email addresses.