Blackpool Credit Union Members' Data Possibly Exposed in Cyberattack

Blackpool Credit Union has confirmed that personal information belonging to thousands of members may have been compromised in a cyberattack discovered last month, with some data potentially appearing on the dark web. The Cork-based financial institution is urging its 6,500 members to remain vigilant against fraud and phishing attempts.

The breach was discovered on 22 August 2025, when Blackpool Credit Union detected unauthorised access to its IT systems. Forensic experts were immediately engaged to investigate the extent of the compromise and restore system security.

What Was Compromised

The cyberattack exposed certain types of personal information, though the credit union has confirmed that more sensitive data remained secure. Potentially compromised information includes members' names, addresses, contact numbers, dates of birth, and basic account information.

However, no funds were removed from any accounts, PINs were not accessed, and the core banking system remained intact. Account access for members continues to operate normally.

Authorities Alerted

Blackpool Credit Union has notified all relevant authorities about the breach, including the Central Bank of Ireland, the Data Protection Commission, and An Garda Síochána. The Data Protection Commission has confirmed receiving the breach notification and is currently assessing the matter.

Credit Union spokesperson: "We very recently became aware that our IT systems were subject to a cyber attack. We immediately engaged external technical and forensic experts to investigate this and to securely restore our systems."

Member Safety Advice

The credit union is advising members to be particularly cautious about unsolicited communications claiming to be from the institution. Members should verify any suspicious contact through official channels rather than responding directly.

Those affected should monitor their accounts for any unusual activity and familiarise themselves with fraud prevention resources such as FraudSmart.ie. The credit union's official contact number is 021-450 1757 for members who need to verify communications.

About Blackpool Credit Union

Established in 1963, Blackpool Credit Union serves as one of Cork city's larger community financial institutions, with assets exceeding €36 million. The breach highlights growing cybersecurity challenges facing Irish financial institutions, particularly smaller, community-focused organisations.

The Irish League of Credit Unions has emphasised the need for credit unions to continuously strengthen their cybersecurity measures to counter increasingly sophisticated threats.

Investigation Continues

Several aspects of the breach remain under investigation, including the exact number of individuals affected and whether the compromised data has been sold or published on criminal platforms. No direct cases of identity theft or fraud have been publicly linked to this incident.

The speed and transparency of Blackpool Credit Union's response to this breach will be crucial in maintaining member confidence as the investigation continues.