Victoria's Secret has temporarily shut down its U.S. website due to a significant security incident. The Ohio-based lingerie retailer announced the decision as a precautionary measure, affecting both online operations and some in-store services. A message displayed on the website informs customers that the company is working diligently to restore normal operations. "Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations," the message states. "We appreciate your patience during this process."

The exact nature of the security incident remains unclear. Victoria's Secret has not confirmed whether it was a cyberattack or a ransomware incident. A spokesperson for the company stated, "We identified and are taking steps to address a security incident. We immediately enacted our response protocols, third-party experts are engaged, and we took down our website and some in-store services as a precaution."

Reports indicate that the website began experiencing issues as early as Monday, with many customers expressing frustration online. By Wednesday, the site had been completely taken offline, and the company has not provided a timeline for when it will be back up. As of Wednesday night, customer care services were also unavailable.

Despite the website shutdown, Victoria's Secret physical stores remain open. However, some in-store services, such as returning online orders, are currently not available. The company is attempting to fulfill orders placed before the incident and is extending return windows and direct mail coupon offers for affected customers.

The incident comes amid a rise in cyberattacks targeting major retailers. Recently, Google warned that a cybercriminal group, known for targeting British retailers, had begun focusing on American brands. This group, referred to as Scattered Spider, has been linked to various attacks that have disrupted operations and compromised customer data.

In the past weeks, several British retailers, including Marks & Spencer and Harrods, have reported similar cyber incidents. These attacks have led to significant operational disruptions, with Marks & Spencer estimating losses of around $400 million due to a cyberattack that halted online orders.

As Victoria's Secret navigates this security challenge, experts advise consumers to remain vigilant. Following such incidents, there is an increased risk of fraud, including phishing emails that may exploit compromised information. The company has not disclosed whether any customer data was affected during this incident.