In December 2021, Greencore Group PLC, a major UK food manufacturer, suffered a cyberattack that compromised the personal data of its employees. This breach has raised serious concerns about data security, employer responsibility, and the long-term impact on affected individuals.
What happened in the Greencore data breach?
The breach was first detected in December 2021, when Greencore experienced significant IT disruptions. Investigations discovered an unauthorised third party had gained access to the company’s systems, exposing sensitive employee information.
Despite detecting the breach in December 2021, employees were not informed until February 2022, leaving many vulnerable to identity theft and financial fraud without their knowledge.
What employee data was exposed?
Greencore confirmed the following personal information was compromised:
- Full names
- Contact details (phone numbers and email addresses)
- Employment records (job roles, salary details, absence and holiday records)
- National Insurance numbers
- Passport numbers
- Bank account details
This type of information is highly valuable to cybercriminals and can be used for fraud, identity theft, and financial scams.
How did Greencore respond?
By February 2022, Greencore had completed its internal investigation and began notifying employees. The company also:
- Reported the breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
- Advised employees to remain vigilant for suspicious activity.
- Stated there was no evidence of data misuse, but could not guarantee complete security.
The ICO reviewed Greencore’s response and concluded formal enforcement action was not necessary. However, legal experts argue employees had a right to be notified much sooner – and stress there are no guarantees the stolen data won’t be used in future scams and crimes.
Are you eligible for compensation?
If you were employed by Greencore at the time of the breach and your data was exposed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emotional distress caused by the loss of privacy.
- Financial losses if your data was used fraudulently.
- The increased risk of identity theft.
Former Greencore employees may also have a Greencore data breach claim.
If you think you might be involved, our simple eligibility checker provides instant clarity. Answer a few straightforward questions, and you’ll know if you could qualify to join the data breach group action.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Check your eligibility and take action today.
