[Cyber criminals have told BBC News
their hack against Co-op is
far more serious than the company
previously admitted.
Hackers contacted the BBC with proof
they had infiltrated IT networks and stolen huge
amounts of customer and employee data.
After being approached on Friday,
a Co-op spokesperson said the hackers
"accessed data relating to
a significant number of our current
and past members".
Co-op had previously said that it had
taken "proactive measures"
to fend off hackers and that
it was only having a "small impact"
on its operations.
It also assured the public that there
was "no evidence that customer data
was compromised".
The cyber criminals claim to have the
private information of 20 million people
who signed up to Co-op's membership scheme,
but the firm would not confirm that number.
The criminals, who are using
the name DragonForce, say they are
also responsible for the ongoing attack
on M&S and an attempted hack of Harrods.
The attacks have led government minister
Pat McFadden to warn companies to
"treat cyber security as an absolute priority".]
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crkx3vy54nzo
This is why many will not give data
to get a loyalty card.