What You Need to Know about the Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen Data Breach

The French luxury conglomerate, Kering, recently confirmed a data breach affecting millions of customers. As a Paris-based luxury group, it has a portfolio of houses in fashion and jewelry. Some of its stable brands include Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and Gucci. The cybercriminal group, ShinyHunters, claimed responsibility for the attack. Unlike traditional ransomware groups, which would encrypt the data, they usually monetize by extortion to sell the information on secret forums. 

This attack is also part of a wave of attacks against brands like Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Chanel. These brands are interesting targets as their databases contain information on high-value personalities. It is also valuable for identity theft crimes and phishing. Shinyhunters claimed to have the data linked to more than 7 million unique email addresses, indicating the scale of the issue. Kering also notified the affected customers and relevant data protection regulators. 

The compromised information included emails, names, physical addresses and phone information. The total sales field was also exposed, revealing the amount of money spent with the brands. Some records indicated expenditures above $80,000. Kering mentioned that no financial details had been stolen. 

When was the Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen Data Breach

The breach affecting Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga and Gucci happened in two stages. The first phase occurred in 2024 and targeted Gucci. At this time, ShinyHunters successfully obtained a huge dataset of customer records. This was a specific attack on Gucci’s systems. The second phase of the attack broadened the scope to the parent company, Kering itself. This attack was done in April 2025, where the cyber criminals again gained access to the systems and obtained the records of millions of clients. 

Kering discovered the breach in June 2025 and promptly notified the relevant data regulation authorities. They also started notifying the affected consumers via email. Kering also indicated that it immediately secured the compromised systems to prevent further access. The two-phase timeline does show a sustained yet targeted effort towards a luxury conglomerate, first hitting the valuable brand before expanding to the broader organization. 

How to Check If Your Data Was Breached

As the stolen data from the Kering breach included details like addresses, names, and purchase histories, you may check for signs of misuse. The first thing to do is to review financial statements. Check your banking or credit card statements to see if there are any unauthorized transactions. You are also entitled to a free credit report annually from either of the bureaus. Search for accounts or credit requests that you do not recognize. 

Kering has yet to provide free credit monitoring due to the breach, but this may change. Several reputable platforms also allow you to check if an email address has appeared in data breaches. One option is ‘Have I Been Pwned’. This website lets one enter their email address to see if it has been found in data breaches. F-Secure Identity Theft Checker also checks to see if the email address has been exposed and sends a report with actions as recommended. 

What to Do If Your Data Was Breached

If you suspect your information was exposed during the breach, please take immediate action to mitigate the current risks. As the stolen information entailed emails, names, physical addresses, phone numbers and the amounts customers spent on the brands, you must be vigilant against phishing. Criminals can use the available personal or financial information to craft messages or emails pretending to be from the brands themselves. 

Being critical of any unsolicited communications asking you to act quickly is essential. Align your online security by changing passwords for accounts where you have similar credential combinations. Enable two-factor authentication where possible because this adds a second layer of protection. Though the exposed information does not include card numbers, monitoring statements for unauthorized transactions should be a precaution. Though Kering has not announced an offer for free credit monitoring, you can use free services from bureaus like TransUnion. 

Are There Any Lawsuits Because of the Data Breach?

After the Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen data breaches, Migiliacco & Rathod LLP has announced an investigation. The company is gathering information from the concerned parties to evaluate the claims against Kering. Consumer action platforms also inform people that, considering data protection regulations, the affected parties have the right to seek compensation for the risks linked to the breach.

No class action lawsuits have yet been formally launched in court. The situation is evolving, so this may change as investigations into the incident continue. 

Can My Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen Information Be Used for Identity Theft?

The personal information stolen during the Kering data issue can be used for identity theft and scams, posing a risk to clients. Credit card numbers were not taken, but the information exposed is still valuable. This information included emails, names, physical addresses, phone numbers and a sales field. The data may help attackers craft phishing solicitations using the victims' transactions to build trust. The exposed data can also be combined with details from other breaches to create a profile on you. This would potentially increase the effectiveness of social engineering scams. 

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself Online?

The data breach is a reminder that cybersecurity is everyone’s job. Companies must strengthen their defenses, though you must also adopt proactive actions to safeguard your identities. Password hygiene is especially essential. To improve your online security, implement some of the following practices.

• Enable and Prioritize Multi-factor Authentication: This is one of the best steps to secure your accounts. Even if a password has been stolen, a code sent to your email or phone would be needed to offer access. Do not use one password for multiple social media and financial accounts. You can store unique passwords using a Google Password Manager. 
• Use Verified Third-Party Tools: There are online tools to check your online security, like ‘Have I been Pwned?’ It lets you know if your details are part of data breaches. Credit bureaus like TransUnion also offer free reports, which can be used for financial monitoring. Check for unauthorized transactions. If there are any suspicious actions, you may issue a credit freeze or fraud alert.
• Monitor your Device's Access to the Internet: Avoid using public Wi-Fi, as it can expose your devices to malware and ransomware. 
• Be Vigilant Concerning Phishing Attempts: Do not open unsolicited emails from parties claiming to represent the brand. This also applies to downloading unverified attachments, which may harbor malware. 
• Install the Latest Antivirus: Install and update antivirus software on all your devices to guard against malware. It is also advisable to update your operating software, as it reduces the chances of being vulnerable to hacking.