Ministers have apologised for a mix-up which led to bank and personal details of thousands of pensioners being sent to the wrong addresses.
Ministers have apologised for a mix-up which led to bank and personal details of thousands of pensioners being sent to the wrong addresses.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it would try to trace all of those affected - as many as 26,000.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it would try to trace all of those affected - as many as 26,000.
Pensioners have reacted angrily, saying it is "appalling". Some fear they could now be vulnerable to identity fraud.
Pensioners have reacted angrily, saying it is "appalling". Some fear they could now be vulnerable to identity fraud.
Conservative MP Patrick McLouglin said the mistake was unacceptable and called on the department to "put it right".
Conservative MP Patrick McLouglin said the mistake was unacceptable and called on the department to "put it right".
A DWP spokeswoman explained that the letters were intended to inform their customers what their weekly pension payments next year would be.
A DWP spokeswoman explained that the letters were intended to inform their customers what their weekly pension payments next year would be.
"Some of those customers received letters intended for someone else in that mailing," she said.
"Some of those customers received letters intended for someone else in that mailing," she said.
"As soon as we found out about it we acted immediately and launched an investigation."
"As soon as we found out about it we acted immediately and launched an investigation."
TV warnings
TV warnings
The spokeswoman said she wanted to reassure the department's customers that all the letters would be traced, and no more letters would be sent out until the problem was sorted out.
The spokeswoman said she wanted to reassure the department's customers that all the letters would be traced, and no more letters would be sent out until the problem was sorted out.
"We would like to apologise to customers affected. The department takes issues of customer security very seriously," she added.
"We would like to apologise to customers affected. The department takes issues of customer security very seriously," she added.
Bevan Bullock, who received someone else's letter in the post, said: "We're being warned on television about people going through your identity documents and so forth.
Bevan Bullock, who received someone else's letter in the post, said: "We're being warned on television about people going through your identity documents and so forth.
"The government are now giving them out willy-nilly."
"The government are now giving them out willy-nilly."
One Derby resident reported receiving a letter with the bank account details of a person from Durham.
One Derby resident reported receiving a letter with the bank account details of a person from Durham.
Another Derby pensioner told how a Leicester City councillor's national insurance number and bank account details were wrongly delivered.
Another Derby pensioner told how a Leicester City councillor's national insurance number and bank account details were wrongly delivered.
Margaret Rothwell from Barnsley, whose details were sent to Bakewell in Derbyshire, said the "sheer inefficiency" was "appalling".
Margaret Rothwell from Barnsley, whose details were sent to Bakewell in Derbyshire, said the "sheer inefficiency" was "appalling".
The department said any customers who received another person's details could call the Pension Service on 0845 60 60 265.
The department said any customers who received another person's details could call the Pension Service on 0845 60 60 265.Have you been affected by this story? Send us your experiences using the form below.
