Scammers Target Argos Customers Following Data Breach as Cybercrime Trends Shift In a recent wave of cybercriminal activity, scammers are exploiting Argos customers in the aftermath of a data breach, according to a report from BBC Morning Live (aired 18/06/2026). The incident highlights a growing trend of fraudsters leveraging compromised personal data to conduct phishing attacks, identity theft, and financial fraud. The breach, details of which remain undisclosed, has provided attackers with access to customer information, enabling them to craft convincing scams such as fake refund requests, account takeovers, or fraudulent purchase confirmations. Former detective Rav Wilding, featured in the segment, underscored the sophistication of these schemes, which often rely on social engineering to deceive victims. Alongside the Argos-related fraud, the report also noted a resurgence in copper theft, driven by rising metal prices and opportunistic crime. While unrelated to cybersecurity, the trend reflects broader economic pressures influencing criminal behavior. The segment serves as a reminder of the persistent risks posed by data breaches, where stolen information can fuel long-term fraud campaigns. No official statement from Argos regarding the breach’s scope or affected customers has been confirmed at this time.

A cybercriminal has admitted to hacking businesses like Uber, Sainsbury's, and Groupon to sell customers' personal information on the dark web. The other targets included Nectar, T-Mobile, Asda, Ladbrokes, Coral, and Argos. The data comprised all the information required to complete an online purchase and was then promoted and sold to clients through his dark website. The firm is thought to have lost more than £200,000 due to the theft, although no financial data was collected. West pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to defraud, one count of hacking a computer, four counts of possessing and supplying marijuana, two counts of having criminal property, and one crime of money laundering Bitcoins. The leaked data is related to a security breach on a third-party vendor.

High street retailer Argos suffered a data breach incident after it sent their credit-card details – including the vital security code – in unencrypted emails. The company included the customer’s full name, address, credit-card number and three-digit CCV security code in order confirmation emails.