Important information on third-party warranties

Update: 12 October 2012

Sky would like to make customers aware of its successful civil proceedings against of a number of individuals who have misappropriated and misused confidential Sky customer information. The action relates to the activities of a satellite warranty company, Digital Satellite Warranty Cover (DSWC), which was forced into liquidation by the High Court last year, at the request of Financial Services Authority (FSA).

In its judgment handed down on 1 October 2012, the High Court found the company officers of DSWC personally liable for unlawfully obtaining the names, addresses, phone numbers and installation details of Sky customers. DSWC then used this information in order to contact customers and sell extended service plans for Sky satellite television equipment. In addition to unlawfully accessing and misusing customer information, DSWC also infringed Sky’s trademarks and passed itself off as either part of Sky or an endorsed partner.

DSWC’s company officers had acquired the information from a former Sky employee who was also found liable for unlawfully misappropriating customer information.

Independent of the civil trial, the FSA had already had DSWC put into liquidation by Order of the High Court for selling warranty services without the required regulatory authorisation.

These actions were very serious, and we are very sorry about what happened. However, we would like to reassure customers that there was no risk of financial loss through the actions of DSWC. The value of this information was that it could be used for marketing purposes. No bank details, account numbers or passwords passed hands in the alleged theft and there is no financial risk to customers.

In addition to the civil prosecution, a formal criminal investigation is now under way, led by the City of London Police. A number of arrests have already been made. Sky has been working with the City of London Police and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ever since uncovering evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

Please be assured that protecting customer information is a priority for Sky and we take data security very seriously. Data theft is a crime and we will always seek the strongest penalties against people who steal or misuse customer information.

If you would like to contact us about this issue, or have any information which you would like to share with us, please email: dp.department@bskyb.com or call 08442 411965.