Vehicle Archives - Join the Claim

Car finance scams: drivers warned to be on alert as fraudsters target compensation hopefuls

Deborah McCahery — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 09:18:09 +0000

As millions of UK drivers await news on car finance compensation, scammers are already cashing in on the confusion.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning about fraudsters posing as lenders and offering fake payouts to unsuspecting motorists. The calls and messages, which appear to be targeting people following recent headlines around the car finance scandal, are not legitimate.

Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

A real car finance compensation scheme is coming. But it hasn’t launched yet

Earlier this month, the FCA announced plans to set up a compensation scheme for people who were charged unfair commission when taking out car finance – particularly in cases where dealers received higher payouts for arranging higher interest loans. This practice, known as Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs), was banned in 2021.

The announcement came shortly after a Supreme Court ruling limited some types of legal claims but left the door open for payouts under an FCA-led redress scheme.

You can find out more about what happened here.

Although the FCA has confirmed the scheme is in development, it hasn’t launched yet. A six-week consultation will run later this year, and if approved, payouts could begin in 2026. Most are expected to be under £950, though some may be higher depending on the agreement.

The scam: what to watch out for

Since the FCA’s announcement, reports have emerged of people being called by fraudsters pretending to be car finance companies or legal firms. These scammers may offer fake compensation and ask for personal information such as:

Bank account details

National Insurance numbers

Security codes or PINs

None of this is required and no official scheme is in place yet.

If someone contacts you about car finance compensation out of the blue, it’s very likely a scam. Hang up, delete the message, and don’t click any links. Crucially, don’t give out personal details. The FCA will never ask for your PIN, password, or bank login.

The FCA has also repeated its warning about claims management companies (CMCs) and unregulated law firms encouraging people to sign up early. The regulator has promised to keep the process free, fair and straightforward, so you won’t need to use a claims management company or a law firm to make a claim.

The bottom line

Stay cautious. If something feels off, it probably is. And if you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for compensation, wait for official guidance from the FCA. There’s no rush – and no need to hand over personal details to anyone.

Want to stay up to date as the FCA’s compensation scheme develops? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news, updates, and need-to-know advice – direct to your inbox.

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Dutch court says diesel brands fitted with cheating software – what this means for UK drivers

Deborah McCahery — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:08:04 +0000

A Dutch court has ruled that diesel cars from Opel, Peugeot, Citroën and DS – now all part of Stellantis – contained software designed to cheat emissions tests. The decision adds more weight to the growing Dieselgate scandal, which has already rocked the automotive world and led to billions in compensation claims across Europe.

What did the court find?

In its interim ruling, the court said:

Opel diesel cars sold since 2009 contained cheating software.
Peugeot, Citroën and DS diesel cars sold since 2014 were also fitted with similar systems that manipulated emissions results.

The software worked by controlling the vehicle’s emissions system during official tests, keeping nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions artificially low – even though real-world emissions could be far higher.

Although this ruling doesn’t yet decide compensation, it reinforces what we already know – Dieselgate goes far beyond Volkswagen, implicating multiple major manufacturers.

What does Stellantis say?

Stellantis, which owns these brands, denies the accusations and says it will “consider appropriate next steps” to defend its position. The company insists its vehicles comply with emissions regulations, calling the court’s findings “incorrect interim considerations”.

Why does this matter to UK drivers?

The same car models sold in the Netherlands were also sold in the UK.

This case adds to a growing list of legal actions across Europe – and the UK – aimed at holding manufacturers accountable for misleading consumers and harming air quality.

Could you be owed compensation?

If your car was affected, you might be eligible to join the UK Dieselgate group action. Compensation could run into thousands per vehicle, and it costs nothing to check if you qualify.

Other scandals drivers should know about

Dieselgate isn’t the only case Stellantis is involved in.

The company – which owns Citroën – has issued an immediate stop-drive warning for C3 models built between 2009 and 2019, DS3 models from 2009 to 2016, and DS Automobiles DS3 models from 2016 to 2019.

The airbags, originally made by now-defunct supplier Takata, can explode during a crash and fire sharp metal fragments into the car’s cabin. A tragic incident in France, where a driver was killed after a minor collision, brought this long-standing issue back into the spotlight.

UK law firms are now exploring a potential group action against Citroën. If you’ve been impacted, check your eligibility, register your interest, and we’ll keep you in the loop.

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Round Two! How Zoë’s TikTok took down a parking fine and why she’s now taking the fight to Parliament

Deborah McCahery — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 09:08:35 +0000

In a remarkable example of digital activism, a woman known online as Zoë Bread successfully challenged a parking fine in Manchester, leading to a broader review of signage and the cancellation of similar fines.

But Zoë isn’t stopping there.

After winning her case, she’s now campaigning to change the law to make parking signage clear across the UK – and she needs your help.

The power of persistence – and TikTok

Zoë Bread received a penalty for parking on a street in Manchester. She claimed confusing signage led her to purchase a ticket from the wrong machine.

Taking her case to TikTok, Zoë documented her experience, highlighting the misleading signs and sharing stories from other drivers who faced similar issues. Her videos went viral, gaining huge attention and prompting Manchester City Council to acknowledge the problem.

After a month-long campaign, the council agreed that the signage “could be clearer” and decided to quash her fine. They also committed to reviewing other fines issued on the street over the past year.

Zoë’s next move: Change the law

However, one line from Manchester City Council continued to niggle:

“We are satisfied that the street is signed in accordance with legislation.”

The issue? Current regulations only require that the arrow on the sign points in the direction of the machine – nothing about clarity or context for drivers. Zoë’s verdict on the legislation:

“Vague as hell.”

Now she’s launched a UK Government petition to update parking signage regulations so they’re clearer and fairer for everyone. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, Parliament must debate the issue.

Sign the petition here.

To promote the campaign, Zoë even created a short film called Pay At Machine – a tongue-in-cheek take on how confusing current signage can be.

What this means for you

A recent AA survey found that 1 in 20 UK drivers would pay a parking fine they believe is unjustified, often just to avoid the hassle of appealing. But, as Zoë demonstrated, many tickets can be successfully challenged. Understanding your rights could save you time, money, and stress.

Whether you received a fine from the council, the police, or a private parking company, our handy guide explains how to navigate the process.

Join the Claim

At Join the Claim, we actively track group action legal claims – including those against private companies. Keep an eye on our website for emerging claims you might be able to join.

The post Round Two! How Zoë’s TikTok took down a parking fine and why she’s now taking the fight to Parliament appeared first on Join the Claim.

Car finance compensation: why payouts could still total billions

Deborah McCahery — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:24:43 +0000

Millions of drivers have been following the car finance scandal, hoping they might be in line for a payout. A new Supreme Court ruling has made it harder for most people to claim, but billions in compensation is still potentially on the table.

So, what does this mean for motorists? Here’s a breakdown of the judgment, what happens next, and who could still be in line for compensation.

What is the car finance scandal about?

For years, millions of people in the UK bought cars on finance through deals like Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase. On the surface, the agreements looked straightforward. But behind the scenes, many included hidden or excess commissions.

As these practices came to light, complaints flooded in.

In 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled that failing to disclose commission could make a finance agreement unlawful – opening the door to potentially billions in claims. But lenders fought back, and the case went all the way to the Supreme Court.

What did the Supreme Court decide?

On 1 August 2025, the UK’s highest court gave its verdict on three major test cases. The big question? Did hidden commissions make these finance deals unfair?

Here’s what happened:

Two out of three cases were dismissed, reversing the previous Court of Appeal judgment that had paved the way for widespread claims.
One case was upheld: Marcus Johnson won his claim because his dealer had pocketed a commission worth a staggering 55% of the total credit charge – and hadn’t been upfront about it. The court called this a “powerful indication” that the agreement was unfair.

Lord Reed, who delivered the judgment, said hiding a commission alone doesn’t make a deal unlawful. Dealers don’t have to put customers’ interests first. But if the commission was very high and poorly explained, that could still create an “unfair relationship”.

So, while the Supreme Court decision shuts the door on many claims, it doesn’t close it completely.

Two types of mis-selling: what’s the difference?

The car finance scandal actually involves two separate issues.

Commission disclosure complaints

These claims argued that finance deals were unlawful if customers weren’t fully told about commission payments. At one point, the Court of Appeal ruling made it look like almost every borrower could claim, and if that had been the case, we could have been looking at something on a similar scale to the payment protection insurance (PPI) scandal.

But after the Supreme Court decision, that’s no longer the case. Today, only agreements with very high commissions or clear unfairness might still qualify.

However, the Supreme Court judgment only applied to disclosure complaints. Discretionary Commission Arrangement cases remain unaffected.

Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs)

This is the big one. Under DCAs, dealers could tweak the interest rate on your finance deal to boost their own commission. In other words, the higher the rate you paid, the more money they made – and you’d never know. DCAs were used in around 40% of car finance deals before 2021.

How it worked

Finance agreement: If you bought a car using finance, the car dealer arranged a loan from a lender.
Commission structure: The dealer received a commission from the lender for arranging the loan.
Setting interest rates: The dealer could raise your interest rate to increase their commission. The result? You paid more and they earned more.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) banned DCAs in 2021, and has said this practice broke its rules. That’s why DCA claims are still very much alive, even after the Supreme Court ruling.

What’s next?

The FCA has confirmed it will launch a consultation by October 2025 on how a compensation scheme should work. This will run for six weeks, and if all goes to plan, payouts could start in 2026.

Key points the FCA is considering:

Which agreements to include: Most Discretionary Commission Arrangements will be included, and possibly some other cases where commissions were excessive – even if they weren’t discretionary.
How far back will it go? The scheme is expected to apply to agreements going back as far as 2007.
How will payouts be calculated: For DCAs, redress could be the difference between what you paid and the lowest rate you could have got. For excessive fixed commissions, it may be the full amount of commission.
Will there be interest on payouts: The FCA says interest is likely to be added at about 3% per year.

The regulator has promised to keep the process free, fair and straightforward. And you won’t need to use a claims management company or a law firm to make a claim.

So, could you be due car finance compensation?

According to the FCA and the Supreme Court, several factors could make a deal unlawful and make you eligible for compensation.

How big was the commission? If the commission was very high compared to the total charge for credit, this could point to unfairness.
Was the commission discretionary? Deals where dealers could increase your interest rate to boost their own commission are a key focus of the FCA’s planned redress scheme.
Who was the customer? The characteristics of the borrower matter. For example, the court noted that if a consumer is “commercially unsophisticated” they may be more vulnerable to unfair terms.
Did the lender follow the rules? Compliance with FCA regulations is crucial. Breaches, such as failing to disclose significant commission, could make an agreement unlawful.
How was the commission explained? The extent – and manner – of disclosure matters. If key details were hidden or downplayed, that strengthens the case for redress.

How much money are we talking about?

Early estimates of £44 billion are now off the table. The FCA predicts the total will be between £9 billion and £18 billion, with most payouts likely under £950. Some could be higher, especially if the full commission is refunded with interest.

“My best guess is payouts could total around £10 billion.”

Martin Lewis, MoneySavingExpert.com

What should drivers do now

The FCA says if you’ve already complained, you don’t need to do anything for now. If you haven’t, you should complain to your finance provider.

In summary

Despite the Supreme Court ruling, the FCA’s planned scheme means millions of people who took out car finance before 2021 – particularly those with DCA agreements – could still be owed money. And with the eligibility period stretching back to 2007, the impact will be huge.

The car finance scandal isn’t over – and for millions of drivers, the story is just entering a new stage.

Stay in the loop and don’t miss a thing with Join the Claim

Join the Claim keeps you updated on the latest consumer justice stories, breaking them down in plain English. Whether it’s a court ruling, a new investigation, or the launch of a group action, we’ll keep you informed.

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New: Your complete guide to the UK airbag recall and compensation claims

Deborah McCahery — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:25:02 +0000

More than 100 million vehicles have been recalled globally over dangerous airbag faults. And now, thousands of UK drivers are feeling the impact.

Following a fatal incident in France and growing legal pressure across Europe, Stellantis (the parent company of Citroën) has issued an urgent “stop-drive” recall for more than 120,000 UK vehicles. And it may not stop there.

To help drivers understand what’s happening and what their rights are, we’ve launched a brand new guide: Dangerous airbags: your complete guide to the UK recalls and compensation claims.

What’s in the guide

This comprehensive new resource covers:

What’s gone wrong with Citroën’s airbags – and why they’re so dangerous

The models affected by the UK recall

What a stop-drive notice means (and what happens if you ignore it)

The growing legal battle in Europe – and how the UK could follow

What support affected drivers should be getting – including courtesy cars and repair options

What the law says about safety defects, insurance and compensation

What to do if you’re impacted – from tracking costs to checking your VIN

Whether other car brands are also affected

How group action claims work and how to join

Why this matters

Defective airbags – particularly those made by Takata – have been linked to dozens of deaths worldwide. In the UK, many drivers have been left without transport, support or clear guidance.

At Join the Claim, we believe drivers deserve better. That’s why we’re connecting affected motorists with leading UK law firms investigating potential group action claims against Citroën. If you’ve been told not to drive your car, we’ll help you check your eligibility and stay informed.

If your Citroën or DS model is part of the recall, you may be entitled to compensation. Use our quick eligibility checker to find out more, or head straight to the guide now.

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Hundreds of dangerous recalled cars still being sold – with no warnings

Inês Gomes — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 09:12:37 +0000

A recent investigation by Which? has uncovered something alarming: hundreds of potentially unsafe cars are being listed for sale on popular UK car websites without any warning to buyers.

That includes Citroën C3 and DS3 models affected by a serious stop-drive airbag recall.

Despite being told not to drive their vehicles, many owners are now learning, too late, that their car has a life-threatening fault.

Selling cars under recall: not just wrong, but illegal

Under the General Product Safety Regulations, selling a car with a known recall may be a criminal offence. But the Which? report shows that many dealers are still doing just that. Some even gave incorrect information when asked about a car’s safety status.

In fact, out of 16 Citroën C3s listed by dealers online, 12 had unresolved safety recalls. Not one of those listings clearly flagged the issue.

That’s 12 cars that could cause serious harm. All sold without warning.

Faulty airbags, real-world consequences

The recall involves potentially deadly airbags, which can rupture on deployment and send shrapnel flying inside the car. Several global deaths have already been linked to this defect.

The recall is so serious that Stellantis — which owns Citroën — has told drivers not to use affected vehicles at all until the airbag is replaced.

However, replacement parts are scarce. Many owners report repair wait times extending into autumn or even 2026, with dealership slots fully booked. Making matters worse, Citroën’s helpline is experiencing long hold times, often exceeding an hour with no resolution.

In the meantime, some dealers are still shifting affected cars without checking, or without being honest when asked.

Where are the warnings?

After being contacted by Which?, AutoTrader did act fast, placing a general warning on Citroën C3 listings. But many other sites still hadn’t taken any similar action by the date the report was published. And vehicle history reports, which many drivers rely on before buying, are no better. One service called a stop-drive recall a “minor” issue. Another claimed the car was “all clear”.

For consumers, it’s a minefield. Unless you know exactly what to ask for, and how to check for yourself, you could end up buying a car you’re not even allowed to drive.

How to protect yourself

If you’re thinking of buying a used car, especially a Citroën C3 or DS3 from 2009 to 2019, here’s what you should do:

Use the government’s free MOT and recall checker.
Ask the dealer for the vehicle’s VIN number, and use the manufacturer’s own recall checker.

Get confirmation in writing that the car has no outstanding recalls before you buy.

Drivers deserve better

You should be able to buy a car in full confidence that it’s roadworthy and safe. And that any serious recall has been sorted.

At Join the Claim, we believe this recall should never have been allowed to fly under the radar. So we’re helping drivers stay informed about potential legal action against Citroën in the UK.

Own a Citroën C3 or DS3? You could be affected.

Check your eligibility, register your interest today, and we’ll keep you updated on this case.

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UK group action looms as Citroën airbag scandal leaves drivers stranded

Inês Gomes — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:10:40 +0000

If you’ve been told not to drive your Citroën because of a dangerous airbag fault, you may be entitled to compensation.

With over 120,000 UK vehicles affected and drivers left stranded without support, legal action could soon follow. Group litigation lawyers say affected motorists could have a strong case against car giant Stellantis, the company behind Citroën.

What’s the issue?

Stellantis recently issued a rare “stop-drive” instruction for Citroën C3 and DS3 models fitted with Takata airbags, manufactured between 2009 and 2019. These airbags are at risk of exploding due to unstable chemicals, sending metal fragments into the cabin. Several global deaths have already been linked to this defect, including a recent fatality in France.

Many UK drivers have only just found out their cars are effectively unusable, and they’ve been given little support since.

“We’ve been left in limbo”

According to lawyers, many affected drivers have been told their car insurance is invalid if they continue to drive, while others have faced charges just to have their vehicle collected for repair.

Some drivers have no idea when their car will be fixed. Replacement airbags are in short supply, and garages are reportedly overwhelmed. For people who rely on their cars for work, care, or daily life, the disruption has been severe.

At the very least, these lawyers believe that affected owners should be compensated for the inconvenience and out-of-pocket expenses they’ve faced.

Could legal action be next?

Yes, and soon. At least one UK law firm is now investigating a potential group action over the Citroën airbag recall.

They argue that Stellantis and Citroën knew, or should have known, about these risks for years, but failed to act sooner. If proven, that could open the door for thousands of affected drivers to claim financial redress.

More recalls could follow

Takata airbags weren’t only used in Citroën cars. Other manufacturers may also be affected, and lawyers warn that additional recalls may be on the horizon.

At Join the Claim, we’re tracking the Citroën airbag case closely. If you’ve been affected by the Citroën recall, register your interest today.

We’ll keep you up to speed, and connect you with law firms who are ready to act on your behalf.

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How exposed VW data could be used against you

Inês Gomes — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:11:20 +0000

In late 2024, it emerged that Volkswagen had suffered a major data breach. One that exposed detailed personal and vehicle data from around 800,000 electric car owners worldwide.

What made this breach so alarming wasn’t just the scale. It was the nature of the data exposed. Movement records, home addresses, contact details – all stored unprotected in the cloud. For UK drivers affected, it’s vital to understand what this means and what to do next.

What kind of information was exposed in the VW data breach?

The breach, traced back to a misconfigured cloud system run by VW’s software arm Cariad, left vast volumes of sensitive data publicly accessible. This included:

Full names, email addresses and phone numbers

Residential addresses

Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)

Logs showing exact GPS coordinates of where and when EVs were switched on or off

Routine movement profiles (commutes, weekend trips, etc.)

In some cases, location data was accurate to within 10 centimetres – far more precise than most consumer mapping tools.

What are the real-world risks?

This kind of information doesn’t just sit in a spreadsheet. It can be weaponised.

Social engineering and phishing

Scammers thrive on context. With leaked data like your name, location habits and car model, a phishing email could convincingly appear to be from your dealership, insurer or even VW itself, urging you to update payment details or verify ownership.

Identity theft

Even without financial data, the combination of your name, contact info and behavioural data can help criminals commit fraud, applying for credit, impersonating you, or hijacking online accounts.

Personal security threats

For some, the risks go beyond digital. The exposed data can be used to infer when a person is at home, on holiday, or visiting sensitive locations. In Germany, vehicles were tracked to military sites, addiction clinics and other private destinations. Stalkers or abusive ex-partners could potentially exploit this data to cause harm.

How could this happen?

Volkswagen has said the breach was caused by a “misconfiguration” of its cloud systems. But reporting revealed that data was left exposed and accessible without advanced hacking tools.

The files contained sensitive information like battery levels, inspection statuses and geolocation tags. In many cases, that data was also linked to identifiable users through VW’s own app system.

While Cariad responded quickly after being alerted, it’s unclear how many people may have accessed the data beforehand.

Four steps to protect yourself now

If you own an affected VW, Audi, SEAT or Škoda EV—especially an ID.3, ID.4 or Enyaq model—consider taking these steps:

1. Strengthen your digital defences

Update passwords for your car’s mobile app, email and any related services

Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible

Don’t reuse passwords across services

2. Be extra cautious with messages

Look out for emails, texts or calls pretending to be from VW or your dealership

Don’t click on suspicious links or share sensitive information

If in doubt, contact the business directly through official channels

3. Monitor your identity and finances

Check your credit report for any unusual activity

Consider using a credit monitoring or fraud alert service

Watch for any unrecognised charges or direct debit changes

4. Limit app data sharing where possible

Review what your vehicle app is tracking and sharing

Consider deactivating some connected services temporarily

Could I claim compensation?

Yes. If your data was exposed in this breach, you may be entitled to compensation. In fact, a group claim is now underway in the UK.

Check if you’re eligible

It takes just a few minutes to check your eligibility using our secure online tool. If you’re affected, we’ll connect you with legal experts who can support your claim from start to finish.

The post How exposed VW data could be used against you appeared first on Join the Claim.

What went wrong at Volkswagen, and how did 800,000 drivers’ data end up exposed?

Inês Gomes — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:11:14 +0000

When it was revealed that Volkswagen had exposed the personal and movement data of hundreds of thousands of electric vehicle owners, the scale of the problem shocked both drivers and data privacy experts.

This wasn’t a case of outside hackers breaching a system. It was a failure from within. For months, detailed vehicle logs and personal contact details were left unprotected in a cloud storage system used by the VW Group. And it wasn’t spotted by Volkswagen. Instead, it was uncovered by ethical hackers who raised the alarm.

Here’s what we know so far about the VW data breach, how it happened, and what it means for drivers in the UK.

What exactly happened?

Volkswagen stored EV data in an Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform as part of its connected car infrastructure. A technical error meant that this data, spanning several terabytes, was left publicly accessible for months.

Anyone who found the right link could view it. No passwords. No encryption. No warning signs.

The exposed data included information from across the Volkswagen Group’s electric range, including models from Audi, SEAT, Škoda and VW itself.

How did the breach come to light?

Volkswagen did not discover the breach itself. It was a whistleblower who tipped off the Chaos Computer Club (CCC), a respected collective of IT security specialists based in Germany.

CCC investigated, confirmed the vulnerability, and alerted Volkswagen and its software subsidiary Cariad. Only after this intervention was the data finally secured.

What kind of data was exposed?

The information stored in the open cloud system included:

Names, mobile numbers and email addresses

Home and business addresses

Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)

Logs showing exactly when and where EVs were switched on or off

GPS coordinates accurate to within ten centimetres in some cases

This level of detail made it possible to build complete movement profiles for individual drivers, including where they live, work, shop and travel.

Why was Volkswagen collecting this data?

Volkswagen says it collected the information to improve its vehicle systems, particularly charging habits and software performance. It has claimed the data was pseudonymised internally, but the breach exposed it in a way that made it easy to re-identify individuals.

In fact, journalists working with the data were able to link specific names to specific locations with ease.

Could the data have been misused?

Volkswagen has said there’s no evidence the data was accessed by malicious actors. But cybersecurity experts disagree. Given how long the data was exposed, and how easy it was to access, there’s no way to know who might have seen or downloaded it.

What has Volkswagen said about the incident?

Volkswagen has acknowledged the breach and referred to it as a “misconfiguration.” Its software subsidiary, Cariad, has taken responsibility for the technical side of the error. The company says the issue has now been fixed and that it is conducting a full internal review.

However, for many drivers, particularly those whose personal movements were logged in precise detail, the reassurance has come too late.

Which vehicles were affected?

The breach affected electric vehicles from across the Volkswagen Group, including:

Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4

Audi Q4 e-tron and e-tron GT

SEAT Mii Electric

Škoda Enyaq iV

The most detailed tracking data was linked to the Volkswagen and SEAT models.

Has Volkswagen offered compensation?

At the time of writing, Volkswagen has not offered direct compensation to affected drivers. However, a group legal claim is now underway in the UK to pursue compensation on behalf of those affected.

You may be eligible to join if your data was exposed, especially if you’ve received a data breach notification from VW or one of its brands.

What should I do if I think I’ve been affected?

Review any data breach letters or notifications you’ve received

Take steps to secure your accounts, especially your vehicle app, email and financial logins

Use our quick eligibility checker to see if you qualify to join the claim

The Volkswagen data breach is a reminder that even the biggest companies can get data privacy badly wrong. In the age of connected vehicles, software failures can have real-life consequences – exposing not just digital identities, but physical ones too.

If you believe your data may have been exposed, it’s important to take action now to protect your information, and to hold companies to account when they fail to keep it safe.

The post What went wrong at Volkswagen, and how did 800,000 drivers’ data end up exposed? appeared first on Join the Claim.

What the Volkswagen data breach means for UK EV owners

Inês Gomes — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:11:06 +0000

We know where your car is parked: What the Volkswagen data breach means for UK EV owners

It started when a whistleblower flagged an issue. Then a hacker collective confirmed it. By December 2024, the world learned that Volkswagen Group had exposed the movement and personal data of around 800,000 electric vehicle owners.

For drivers across Europe, this was a huge invasion of privacy, with deeply personal implications.

What happened in the Volkswagen data breach?

According to reports, Volkswagen’s software subsidiary, Cariad, had misconfigured part of its cloud infrastructure. The result? Vast volumes of sensitive EV data were left unsecured in an Amazon Web Services (AWS) bucket – freely accessible to anyone who knew where to look.

Among the affected brands were Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Škoda. Precise GPS data from around 460,000 cars was exposed, sometimes down to the nearest 10 centimetres. And it wasn’t anonymised.

Movement maps and personal identities

The exposed data created detailed movement profiles: when and where cars were driven, where they were parked, and for how long. In some cases, this revealed people’s homes, workplaces, daily routines – and more sensitive visits, too.

A Spiegel investigation found:

A German politician’s vehicle data showed regular stops at her home, office, bakery and physiotherapist.

A former defence official’s car was logged outside military sites and retirement homes.

EVs were tracked near government buildings, brothels, addiction clinics and even intelligence agency HQs.

The leaked records included names, email addresses, phone numbers and, in some cases, home addresses and vehicle IDs.

Why this matters in the UK

Many of the exposed cars belong to owners in the UK. If your vehicle falls within the affected period or model range, your data, location history, contact details, behavioural habits, could have been at risk.

This information is a goldmine for cybercriminals:

Phishing: Scams tailored to your habits (e.g. emails referencing places you visit).

Identity theft: Linking name, address and vehicle ID to other stolen data.

Physical threats: Knowledge of daily movements could pose security risks.

What did VW do?

The breach was first reported to Cariad and the VW Group by the Chaos Computer Club (CCC), a respected ethical hacking organisation. To VW’s credit, the company responded quickly and resolved the issue. But the damage had already been done.

Experts say the data was left exposed long enough to be accessed by malicious actors, even if there’s no confirmed misuse (yet).

The company referred to the incident as a “misconfiguration”. But for many affected drivers, it felt more like a betrayal of trust.

This isn't just a VW problem

This breach has highlighted wider concerns about the data modern cars collect. As EVs become smarter and more connected, the lines between transport and surveillance are blurring.

Can you claim compensation for the VW data breach?

Whether you drive an ID.3, an Audi Q4 e-tron or a Škoda Enyaq, one thing is clear: your data is valuable. And when it’s mishandled, the consequences are personal.

If you think you may be affected, don’t wait. Use our quick checker to see if you could be eligible to join the Volkswagen data breach claim.

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