More data lost after laptop theft

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The sensitive personal details of 14,000 customers have been lost, a subsidiary of the Skipton Building Society has admitted.

Those affected are customers of Skipton Financial Services (SFS) who have money invested in Fidelity Funds Network.

The data includes names, addresses, dates of birth, national insurance numbers and the amount of money invested, but not bank account details.

Skipton apologised for the breach but said there was no evidence of fraud.

Extra security checks will be carried out by SFS wherever these accounts are concerned Simon Holt, SFS

The information was compromised after the theft of a laptop belonging to Moore Stephens Limited, an external IT systems supplier, on 11 December.

"Whilst neither SFS nor Fidelity Funds Network were responsible for the loss of this laptop, both have taken all steps they can to mitigate any risk to their clients," said SFS managing director Simon Holt.

SFS has written to all of the relevant customers to notify them of the theft, and has issued them with new account numbers.

Precaution

Investors will receive 12 months' free credit checks through the credit reference agency Callcredit, which is also owned by the Skipton Building Society.

As a further precaution they are also being offered free access to a protective registration scheme run by CIFAS, a UK fraud prevention service.

This alerts financial organisations of the need to undertake further checks before completing any transaction on specified accounts.

"Extra security checks will be carried out by SFS wherever these accounts are concerned," added Mr Holt.

He said SFS is currently working with Moore Stephens "both to investigate how this incident occurred and to ensure it does not happen again".

As of 20 December, he added, SFS was "not aware of there having been any fraudulent activity on any affected customer's account".

Customers who are concerned can call 0800 137 832.

The helpline is open between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and until 1pm on Saturday and Christmas Eve.

Raised concerns

The Financial Services Authority and the Information Commissioner's Office have both been notified about the theft.

This latest data loss comes amid raised concerns about the security of personal information.

Earlier this year, two discs disappeared from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs containing the details of 25 million people on its child benefit database.

Further breaches have come to light since involving the Driving Standards Agency, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Earlier in December Leeds Building Society was forced to warn staff to be vigilant after it mislaid information about its 1,000-strong workforce.