Home movers across the UK were left unable to exchange, complete or move home due to a severe cyber failure. This page explains how the data breach happened, the facts of the case, and the consequences for the affected victims
The incident happened when Simplify Group, a company that provides conveyancing services to several leading agencies, experienced a ‘major security breach’.
Because of the incident – thought to be a cyber-attack – Simplify was forced to take down many of its online systems. This left sellers and buyers in limbo as they were unable to proceed or complete their transactions.
Moving home is already a stressful and emotional experience. The additional anxiety and anguish caused by this breach added to the distress.
In addition, because they have been unable to proceed with their sale/purchase, many of those affected had to find unexpected storage for possessions and temporary accommodation. As a result, they lost out financially.
Employees and ex-employees of conveyancing firms that used Simplify may also have been affected by this breach. These individuals may have had their bank account information, contact details, dates of birth, employment information, and Tax ID/National Insurance numbers accessed.
The breach became the subject of a criminal investigation.
Multiple conveyancing firms were affected by the breach. These include Premier Property Lawyers, JS Law, DC Law, and Advantage Property Lawyers.
One in five property transactions in the UK are thought to use these companies, so most UK property chains will have at least one party using Simplify.
See our answers to the FAQs we get asked about the Simplify security incident.
On 7 November 2021, Simplify Group, a company that provides conveyancing services to several leading agencies, experienced a ‘major security breach’. Simplify was forced to take down many of its online systems after the incident- thought to be a cyber-attack. As a result, sellers and buyers across the UK were left in conveyancing chaos as they could not proceed or complete their transactions. Simplify did not restore its systems until 15 November.
Employees and ex-employees of conveyancing firms that used Simplify may have been affected by this breach. These individuals may have had their bank account information, contact details, dates of birth, employment information, and Tax ID/National Insurance numbers accessed.
Those affected by the incident should have been informed.
KP Law has some of the most skilled data breach lawyers in England and Wales. Here are just some of our success stories.
KP Law is a founding member of the Collective Redress Lawyers Association (CORLA). CORLA aims to improve access to justice for claimants by way of collective redress.
