It wasn't bad enough that HM Revenue and Customs lost a computer disc containing the pension information of 15,000 Standard Life customers.Oh no, this time they have decided to embarrass themselves properly by losing a disc with the confidential details of 25 million child benefit recipients!
25 million people -nearly a third of the entire UK population!
Revenue and Customs says it does not believe the records, which are names, addresses and bank accounts, have fallen into the wrong hands.
It's not surprising they don't believe that the disc has fallen into the wrong hands, but then they have no flaming clue what is going on right now!
However despite HMRC's "reassurance", experts say that children whose personal data has gone missing could be at risk of identity fraud for years to come, with some saying fraudsters could wait until children turn 18 before trying to apply for credit in their name.
The credit agency Experian said that children aged 15 to 17 whose names, addresses and dates of birth were among the lost data are at risk from determined fraudsters prepared to wait for lengthy periods before using the data.
Helen Lord of Experian said:
"The fraudsters will wait until they turn 18 and start applying for loans, credit cards, mobile phone contracts and other credit products in their names,"
"That could have a catastrophic effect on their ability to get on the housing ladder, rent a flat, obtain their first credit card, obtain a loan for their first car, even open a bank account."
Paul Gray the chairman of HMRC, has at least shown some honour and has resigned. He was allowed to do so because disks were transported in breach of rules governing data protection.
So what happened then?
This whole sorry episode happened like this:
- 18 October - Junior official from HMRC in Washington, Tyne and Wear, sends two CDs containing password-protected records to audit office in London through courier TNT, neither recorded nor registered
- 24 October - When package fails to arrive, second one is sent by registered post and arrives safely
- 3 November - Senior managers are told first package has been lost
- 10 November - Prime minister and other ministers are informed
- 12 November - HMRC tell ministers CDs will probably be found 14 November - When HMRC searches fail, Metropolitan Police are called in
- 15 November - Richard Thomas, Information Commissioner, says remedial action must be taken before public is informed
- 20 November - HMRC Chairman Paul Gray resigns; Chancellor Alistair Darling makes announcement to House of Commons
- 21 November - Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologises and orders security check
The Government tells us all the time to be careful about ID fraud and then they manage to lose most of the information we have stored with them! Honestly, HMRC should change its name from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to Her Majesty's Right Cock Up!
If you are worried about the events of the last couple of days, HMRC has set up a Child Benefit Helpline you can call on: 0845 302 1444
Source:BBC News