Cyberattack Strikes Gucci, McQueen, Balenciaga

Luxury fashion giants Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen have been hit by a massive cyberattack that exposed the private details of potentially millions of customers worldwide.

The breach, confirmed by parent company Kering, includes names, phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, and even data showing how much each individual has spent in stores.

Some customers were revealed to have spent between $30,000 and $86,000, sparking fears that high-value shoppers could now be targeted for scams or phishing attempts.

The hacker group calling itself Shiny Hunters claimed responsibility, telling the BBC it breached Kering’s systems back in April and attempted ransom negotiations, which the company denies.

Kering insists no financial data, such as credit card or bank account information, was compromised, and says it has since secured its IT networks.

The incident adds to a wave of attacks on luxury brands, with Cartier and Louis Vuitton also disclosing breaches earlier this year.

Experts warn that cybercriminals increasingly view high-spending luxury customers as prime targets. Authorities and cybersecurity experts urge customers to change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and stay vigilant for suspicious emails or calls pretending to be banks or retailers.