Summary
A cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has resulted in the theft of a large amount of private data, including criminal records, dating back to 2010. As a response, the Ministry of Justice is advising past legal aid applicants to be cautious and protect their personal information.
Key Facts
- A cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency's online system occurred, involving data going back to 2010.
- The Ministry of Justice reported the breach and is urging the public to watch for suspicious activity.
- The stolen data might include contact details, birth dates, national ID numbers, criminal records, job information, and financial data.
- The hackers claim to have accessed 2.1 million pieces of data, but this number is not confirmed by the Ministry of Justice.
- Legal Aid’s online services, essential for providers to log work and receive payments, have been taken offline.
- The National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre are involved in handling the incident.
- The Ministry has advised people to verify the identity of anyone contacting them online or by phone before sharing any information.
- The breach follows other recent cyber-attacks on businesses like Harrods, Marks & Spencer, and Co-op, leading to operational disruptions.
