Electronics retailer Dixons Carphone has confirmed a major data breach in which hackers gained access to 5.9 million payment cards and 1.2 million personal data records.
The listed company reassured customers and shareholders that there was no evidence to date of any fraudulent use of the data.
The group added that relevant authorities, including the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the police, have been informed.
“We are extremely disappointed and sorry for any upset this may cause,” said Dixons Carphone CEO Alex Baldock.”The protection of our data has to be at the heart of our business, and we’ve fallen short here.
“We’ve taken action to close off this unauthorised access and though we have currently no evidence of fraud as a result of these incidents, we are taking this extremely seriously.”
Baldock added the company is “determined to put this right” and has launched an investigation, engaged leading cyber security experts and added extra security measures to its systems.
“Cyber crime is a continual battle for business today and we are determined to tackle this fast-changing challenge.” he said.
The ICO advised any customers concerned about lost data to follow the advice of Action Fraud.
“An incident involving Dixons Carphone has been reported to us and we are liaising with the National Cyber Security Centre, the Financial Conduct Authority and other relevant agencies to ascertain the details and impact on customers,” it said in a published statement on its website.