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Helpline flooded over lost discs Helpline flooded over lost discs
(39 minutes later)
The Information Commissioner's Office in NI has received two days worth of calls in two hours, after a security breach at Revenue and Customs.The Information Commissioner's Office in NI has received two days worth of calls in two hours, after a security breach at Revenue and Customs.
Banks are advising customers to watch accounts for signs of fraud after the loss of two government computer discs.Banks are advising customers to watch accounts for signs of fraud after the loss of two government computer discs.
The missing discs contain the personal details of people who receive child benefit including almost a quarter of a million families in Northern Ireland.The missing discs contain the personal details of people who receive child benefit including almost a quarter of a million families in Northern Ireland.
The child benefit data includes names, ages, bank and address details.The child benefit data includes names, ages, bank and address details.
The discs were lost in the internal post between HM Revenue and Customs and the audit office.The discs were lost in the internal post between HM Revenue and Customs and the audit office.
In total, the discs contain information on 25m adults and children. Officials said child benefit payments would not affected.In total, the discs contain information on 25m adults and children. Officials said child benefit payments would not affected.
'Criminals''Criminals'
Northern Ireland's Information Commissioner Marie Anderson said her office had been very busy.
"I've had to move staff from other activities... onto the advice line," she said.
"People want to know what they should do now. They're worried about if they should contact their bank and we are advising them that they should check their bank statements.
"If they see any transactions that they don't recognise contact the bank immediately."
Finance Minister Peter Robinson urged Northern Ireland's 237,000 child benefits claimants "to be vigilant and to monitor their bank statements".Finance Minister Peter Robinson urged Northern Ireland's 237,000 child benefits claimants "to be vigilant and to monitor their bank statements".
"It is possible that these details could have fallen into the hands of criminals," he said."It is possible that these details could have fallen into the hands of criminals," he said.
"Identity fraud is already an enormous criminal trade and child benefit recipients in the province should not underestimate the seriousness of this situation."
Chancellor Alastair Darling said banks were monitoring all 7.25m bank accounts whose details were on the discs.Chancellor Alastair Darling said banks were monitoring all 7.25m bank accounts whose details were on the discs.
People are being urged by both the chancellor and banks to keep a close eye on their accounts "for unusual activity".
Mr Darling said that anyone who lost money as a result of any misuse of the data would be covered for losses under the banking code.Mr Darling said that anyone who lost money as a result of any misuse of the data would be covered for losses under the banking code.
The Revenue and Customs service has set up a child benefit helpline on 0845 302 1444 for customers who want more details.The Revenue and Customs service has set up a child benefit helpline on 0845 302 1444 for customers who want more details.