The personal details of 6,500 pensioners have been lost
by HM Revenue and Customs in Cardiff.
In the latest data breach to affect the government, a data
cartridge went missing after it was sent to HM Revenue and Customs
in Cardiff by Preston-based pension firm Countrywide Assured.
The data cartridge, which was sent by courier at the request of
HM Revenue and Customs, contained names, addresses, dates of birth,
national insurance numbers and pension contribution details.
The cartridge was sent in September and was signed for by HM
Revenue and Customs. The loss has come to light as the tax
department and the government scramble to carry out an audit of
insecure data systems following the
loss of 25 million child benefit records.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the
Driving Standards Agency in Ireland had lost the details of three
million learner drivers.
Countrywide Assured has written letters to those customers
affected by the loss - HMRC's seventh
major data loss this year. HMRC has informed the
Office of the Information Commissioner about the loss.
What the experts say about HMRC's data
losses
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