Victoria’s Secret website goes dark after major hack as lingerie giant pulls US site and halts some in-store services, sending shares tumbling 7%.
The Ohio-based brand slammed the shutters digitally, swapping its US homepage for a stark customer alert: “We are working around the clock to fully restore operations.” Meanwhile, the UK site and stores, including the popular PINK label, remain open and unaffected.
Victoria’s Secret Acts Fast Amid Cyberattack
Victoria’s Secret confirmed it triggered emergency security protocols and called in third-party cybersecurity experts to get to the bottom of the breach.
“We immediately enacted our response protocols… and took down our website and some in-store services as a precaution,” the company said.
There’s no word yet on when normal service will resume or what exactly hackers got their hands on.
Customers vented their frustrations online, slamming delays in order tracking and dead phone lines. One X user raged,
“How can I check my order status when your page has been down for 2 days?!? And no one answers the phone either!”
Retailers Under Cyber Siege
Victoria’s Secret is the latest retail victim amid a rising tide of cyber-attacks targeting major brands, especially in the UK.
- Marks & Spencer braces for a £300 million hit after its own cyber breach, with online chaos expected to drag on until July.
- Co-op faced payment failures and empty shelves thanks to similar digital assaults.
- Both cases compromised sensitive customer data, raising widespread security alarms.
The hacker gang Scattered Spider, reportedly including teenage tech whizzes, has claimed several ransomware hits—locking down IT systems and demanding hefty ransom payments to hand back control.
Experts Urge Vigilance
Vonny Gamot, head of online protection firm McAfee, warned shoppers to act fast:
“Even if you haven’t received a notification from the retailer, assume your info might be compromised. Change your passwords now, enable two-factor authentication, and watch for suspicious activity.”
Gamot also highlighted that companies often take weeks to fully identify affected customers, so delays in alerts are common.
Victoria’s Secret: A Global Fashion Powerhouse
Known worldwide for its iconic lingerie and high-profile fashion shows, Victoria’s Secret runs roughly 1,350 stores across 70 countries. The company has been hustling to revamp its image and digital platforms amid recent criticism and restructuring efforts.
