M&S and Co-op targeted by claims firms over cyberattack ‘lost data’
Claims firms are encouraging customers of M&S and Co-op to sue for data breaches following cyberattacks last year.Summary
Following cyberattacks in 2023, Marks & Spencer (M&S) and the Co-op Group are facing potential class action lawsuits spurred by advertising campaigns from claims firms like Join the Claim. Over 3,000 radio advertisements were aired promoting a class action against M&S, with a smaller number targeting the Co-op. These campaigns, funded by Join the Claim and linked to the law firm KP Law, encourage customers to seek compensation for alleged personal data breaches. While no formal legal proceedings have begun, a significant lawsuit could be problematic for M&S, which already experienced profit losses due to the hack and disruption of online shopping. M&S maintains that no usable financial or account details were compromised and that there is no evidence of data sharing. Join the Claim asserts its role is to raise public awareness and hold companies accountable. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has cautioned consumers about the potential costs and risks associated with such claims, and while scrutiny exists regarding Join the Claim’s advertising practices, the ASA will not investigate the recent ads due to a limited number of complaints.
(Source：The Sunday Times)