Hobbs and Whistles hit by cybersecurity attack affecting customer data

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 17:08 · Archive

Fashion brands Hobbs, Whistles and Phase Eight have alerted customers to a cybersecurity breach affecting personal data.

The Foschini Group, a South African retail company, identified a cybersecurity incident on 11 October affecting its UK subsidiary TFG London. The attack impacted IT systems used by its three fashion brands: Hobbs, Whistles and Phase Eight. The company said it immediately secured its systems, engaged independent cybersecurity experts and notified relevant government authorities.

CEO Justin Hampshire wrote to customers explaining that the investigation had found personal data was accessed. He said the affected information could include contact and delivery details, order information, and in some cases limited payment information such as the last four digits of payment cards. However, the company stressed that full, useable payment card details were not compromised and that account login information and passwords were not accessed.

The company is contacting all customers as a precaution, though Hampshire noted this does not necessarily mean individual information was affected. The investigation into exactly which data was accessed is continuing. Payment processing is handled by a third-party provider, and the company confirmed that shopping on its website and in stores remains secure.

How it is being reported

• UK clothing chain personal data 'hacked' in cybersecurity attackThe owner of fashion brands Hobbs and Whistles has alerted customers that their personal data has been accessed in a cybersecurity attack earlier this month.Oxford Mail · 2 Nov, 16:30
• UK clothing chain personal data 'hacked' in cybersecurity attackThe owner of fashion brands Hobbs and Whistles has alerted customers that their personal data has been accessed in a cybersecurity attack earlier this month.Oxfordshire Guardian · 2 Nov, 16:30

In this story: Hobbs · Whistles · Phase Eight · The Foschini Group · TFG London · Justin Hampshire

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log