Lacey Solicitors are now initiating legal proceedings against Cabot Financial Ireland Limited on behalf of affected individuals. If your personal or financial data was compromised in the recent cyberattack, you may be entitled to claim compensation for both financial losses and emotional distress.
What Happened?
In September 2024, Cabot Financial Ireland Limited, a prominent debt collection and credit servicing firm regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, suffered a significant cyberattack. The breach involved the theft of approximately 394,000 sensitive data files. These files contained personal, financial, and in some cases, even health-related or marital status information.
The compromised data affects:
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Cabot’s direct customers
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Customers of financial institutions for whom Cabot acts as credit servicer
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Current and former Cabot employees
The exposed information includes:
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Names, addresses, and contact information
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Loan book and debt details
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Potentially sensitive information shared by customers (e.g. health issues or family circumstances)
Cabot’s website and phone systems were temporarily disabled following the attack, and forensic IT specialists were brought in to assess the extent of the damage.
Cabot Financial Ireland Limited’s Response and Public Concern
Cabot states it has:
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Notified the Data Protection Commission (DPC), Central Bank of Ireland, and Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau
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Obtained a protective court order to reduce the likelihood of stolen data being misused online
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Begun contacting impacted individuals
However, many former customers and staff have criticised the speed, clarity, and scope of these communications. Some did not receive timely notification despite their data being involved.
Your Rights as a Victim of a Data Breach
Under GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and the Data Protection Act 2018, individuals have a legal right to claim compensation when their personal data is exposed due to a company’s failure to protect it.
You may be eligible to claim for:
Material Damages
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Fraudulent transactions
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Identity theft
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Out-of-pocket costs for credit monitoring or account security
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Lost income
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Banking and administrative fees
Non-Material Damages
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Anxiety, distress, and emotional upset
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Fear of future misuse of your personal data
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Loss of sleep or mental wellbeing
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Reputational damage or embarrassment
Recent developments in Irish data protection law outlined previously by our office namely the Supreme Court decision in Dillon v Irish Life Assurance PLC [2025] IESC 37 has removed the requirement to obtain IRB authorisation for such claims, as they do not constitute personal injuries. This has significantly reduced the procedural burden for claimants, allowing claims to proceed directly in the District Court (for amounts up to €15,000.00), making the process quicker and more accessible.
In the context of the Cabot breach, where nearly 400,000 files containing personal and financial data were compromised, these legal standards are highly relevant. Many affected individuals are likely to have experienced emotional consequences, such as fear, distress, or anxiety, especially if the compromised data included sensitive information like marital or health status. Based on recent court awards in similar cases—ranging from €2,000.00 to €7,500.00 for non-material harm—Cabot may face a significant volume of claims.
Lacey Solicitors is now writing to Cabot Financial Ireland Limited, representing victims seeking compensation for the violation of their data rights.
Lacey Solicitors – Data Breach Litigation Solicitors
At Lacey Solicitors, we are now intimating formal legal proceedings against Cabot Financial Ireland Limited. We are representing individuals affected by the breach and seeking compensation for both material and non-material damages.
We understand how unsettling it is to learn your private information may be in the hands of criminals. Ruaidhrí Austin Partner is experienced in both Defence and Plainitff GDPR litigation, and is committed to helping you secure the compensation you deserve.
We can assist with:
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Submitting a Subject Access Request (SAR) to confirm if your data was affected
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Gathering evidence of emotional distress or financial harm
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Managing the full legal process with clear and transparent legal fees.
What Should You Do Now?
If you suspect or know that your data was part of the Cabot data breach, you should:
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Contact Lacey Solicitors for a confidential case review
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Request confirmation from Cabot via a Subject Access Request (we can assist with this)
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Monitor your financial accounts for suspicious activity
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Report any suspected fraud to the Gardaí
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Follow cybersecurity best practices — e.g. change passwords, enable 2FA, and avoid phishing scams
How to Spot Suspicious Activity
Criminals may now impersonate Cabot or use your stolen information to conduct scams. Be wary of:
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Unsolicited emails or phone calls asking for bank details
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Messages claiming your Cabot account is in arrears or frozen
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Unfamiliar credit card or loan applications appearing on your credit report
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Social engineering attempts using your personal details
Cabot has published advice on how to protect yourself, and we encourage all victims to also consult trusted sources like:
Contact Lacey Solicitors, Data Breach Solicitors, Belfast & Dublin
If you believe your personal information was exposed in the Cabot data breach, contact Lacey Solicitors today. With offices in Dublin and Belfast, our experienced team specialises in data protection and privacy claims, and we are currently acting on behalf of individuals affected by this breach. We offer clear, confidential advice on your rights under GDPR and can help you pursue compensation for the harm caused.
Call us on +353 1 513 4375 (Dublin) or +44 28 9089 6540 (Belfast), or contact Lacey Solicitors today for a free consultation using our Online Portal.
