Millions of people in the UK now store personal details online for convenience. Many save their names, dates of birth, bank card information and passwords on different websites and apps to make online shopping and logins quicker. Bridewell’s October 2025 survey of 1,000 UK adults found that only 19% keep no personal data online at all.
Older respondents are a bit more vigilant when it comes to this. Around 27% of people over 55 said they do not store any personal information digitally. That number drops quite a bit with younger people, as only 9% of those aged 25 to 34 say the same.
The survey found that 26% of Brits save their full name and date of birth online, while 23% store social media logins and 22% keep bank card details saved. Even work-related data is not always protected. For people aged 25 to 35, 26% said they have work or payroll details saved online.
This everyday habit of storing sensitive data across different platforms leaves people vulnerable if any of these systems are breached. When details leak, they can be traded or sold to criminals on the dark web for small amounts of money.
How Cheap Is Stolen Data On The Dark Web?
The dark web’s data trade shows how little personal information is worth to criminals. Research cited in Bridewell’s report found that a full set of personal details, including name and date of birth, could sell for as little as £5. Credit card details often cost around £8, and a scan of a driver’s licence can go for £6.
Some information is more valuable. A mother’s maiden name costs about £11, while a working Netflix subscription can reach £19. More sensitive or “ready-to-use” data, such as verified PayPal accounts, can sell for over £70. A credit card with more than £5,000 available can cost up to £89. A selfie of a user holding their ID, often used to verify accounts, is also priced at £89.
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It seems that data is often bundled, resold and reused by attackers to create a fuller profile of the victim. Criminals may combine information like passwords, dates of birth and bank details to commit identity theft or open new credit lines.
Anthony Young, CEO at Bridewell, commented: “As digital life becomes more integrated into daily routines, we must not lose sight of the risks involved in sharing and storing personal data online. Our survey highlights the urgent need to raise awareness and educate individuals on how to respond if cybercriminals compromise their data. Cybercriminals continue to increase their sophistication, so people must move beyond simply securing passwords to understand the full threat and take proactive steps to protect themselves.”
“In reality, people buy and sell personal data on the dark web for a fraction of its true value, putting millions at risk. Businesses must also protect their customers’ information and should regularly educate them on safe digital practices.”
Cyberattacks are happening a lot frequently now in both private and public sectors. In recent years, retailers like Marks & Spencer, Harrods and The North Face have faced attacks that exposed customer information. Even government email addresses have surfaced on the dark web.
Bridewell’s findings show that millions of people are unaware of how cheaply their data can be sold and how easily it can be used for criminal gain. The more people use mainly online accounts for shopping, banking and work, the more important its become to how to protect personal information.
