If you've recently shopped at The North Face or Cartier, there's a chance your personal information might have been caught up in their latest data breaches. These incidents have left many customers wondering about the safety of their data. While financial details like credit card numbers were not accessed, other personal information such as names, email addresses, and purchase histories might have been exposed. In this article, we’ll break down what was actually compromised and what you can do to protect yourself.
What Data Points Were Leaked?
The recent breaches at The North Face and Cartier have made customers uneasy for good reason. Let’s break down what actually got exposed.
The North Face Breach
Attackers got into customer accounts using a method called credential stuffing. This is where hackers use stolen username and password combos (from other breaches) to force their way in. If you use the same password across multiple sites, you’re a prime target.
Data exposed in The North Face breach:
Full names
Email addresses
Billing and shipping addresses
Phone numbers
Purchase histories
Account usernames
No credit card numbers or payment info was accessed. But with all that personal info, it’s still serious.
Cartier Breach
While Cartier’s breach didn’t grab as many headlines, it followed a similar pattern. Personal details were targeted, not payment data.
Data exposed in the Cartier breach:
Names
Email addresses
Purchase details
Contact information
Again, financial data was safe. But when names and emails are exposed alongside what you’ve bought, it’s enough for scammers to start plotting.
Why Does This Matter?
You might wonder why hackers go after non-financial data. Here’s the deal: names, emails, and purchase histories can be used for phishing, social engineering, or even identity theft. With this info, a scammer can craft messages that feel personal and convincing. And once a hacker gets a foot in the door with your personal info, they can attempt to break into your other accounts—especially if you reuse passwords.
If you’re using a unique password for each account, you’re already a step ahead. If not, you’re on thin ice.
Should You Be Worried?
When you hear about a major data breach at brands like North Face or Cartier, it’s natural to feel a pit in your stomach. Let’s break down what these breaches really mean for you and why staying alert matters.
What’s Actually at Stake?
When breaches happen, personal details—like your name, address, email, and purchase history—are often exposed. This information may seem harmless on its own, but in the wrong hands, it can fuel targeted scams.
The main risks include:
Phishing Attacks: Attackers can use your leaked data to craft convincing emails or texts, tricking you into handing over more sensitive information.
Say your email and past purchase details are floating around online. Scammers now have the ammo they need to create messages that sound almost legitimate. “Hey, your North Face order is delayed—click here to update your info.” It’s easy to fall for, especially when the message references something you actually did.
What About Financial Info?
Here’s a bit of relief: both the North Face and Cartier breaches didn’t expose credit card numbers or bank details. That means your direct financial assets weren’t at risk from these incidents.
Why does this matter?
Your credit cards and bank accounts are safe from immediate theft.
But, the personal data exposed can still be used to try and trick you into giving up your financial details through follow-up scams.
Should You Panic?
Short answer: No. But you do need to be careful. Having your email or address leaked isn’t the end of the world, but it’s a signal to stay sharp. Monitor your inbox for suspicious messages, double-check URLs before clicking, and don’t respond to requests for sensitive information unless you’re sure who’s asking.
Where Cloaked Fits In
If you’re worried about your information being exposed, using privacy tools like Cloaked can make a real difference. Cloaked lets you create “virtual” emails, phone numbers, and even addresses—so even if a breach happens, your real details stay private. That means fewer headaches and a lot less risk of being targeted by scammers.
Stay calm, but keep your guard up. Being proactive now can save you a lot of trouble later.
What Should Be Your Next Steps?
If you’ve just found out your account was part of a data breach, it’s easy to panic. Don’t. The right actions now can make a big difference. Here’s how to take control and protect yourself:
1. Change Your Passwords Immediately
Update passwords for all affected accounts—don’t wait, do it now.
Use strong, unique passwords for each site. Avoid the urge to recycle an old favorite.
Consider a password manager. It helps generate and store tough-to-crack passwords.
2. Watch Out for Phishing Attempts
After a breach, scammers often send fake emails or texts pretending to be from companies you trust. Here’s how to spot them:
Check the sender’s address—phishers often use addresses that look “almost right.”
Look for odd language or urgent requests (like “Verify your account now!”).
Never click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources.
3. Monitor Your Accounts
Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for anything unusual.
Enable alerts for logins and transactions where possible.
4. Use Security Tools for Extra Protection
Extra layers can give you peace of mind:
Two-factor authentication (2FA): Add it everywhere you can—email, social media, banking.
Privacy tools: Cloaked offers features like disposable emails and masked phone numbers. These can reduce the risk of your real contact info being exposed or misused in future breaches.
Security updates: Keep your devices and apps up to date. Patches fix vulnerabilities hackers love to exploit.
5. Stay Informed
Sign up for breach notification services to get alerts if your info appears in future leaks.
Learn about the latest scams and attack methods. The more you know, the better you can spot trouble coming.
Mistakes happen, but fast, smart action helps limit the damage. Use these steps as your go-to checklist after a breach, and you’ll be in a much stronger position to protect yourself next time.
At Cloaked, we believe the best way to protect your personal information is to keep it private before it ever gets out. That’s why we help you remove your data from people-search sites that expose your home address, phone number, SSN, and other personal details. And to keep your info private going forward, Cloaked lets you create unique, secure emails and phone numbers with one click - so you sign up for new experiences without giving away your real info. With Cloaked, your privacy isn’t a setting - it’s the default. Take back control of your personal data with thousands of Cloaked users.
*Disclaimer: You agree not to use any aspect of the Cloaked Services for FCRA purposes.
