Errors Made in Child Benefit Data Loss Apology Letters
In light of the recent and highly-publicised loss of two Child Benefit data discs containing the personal details of 25 million people, letters have now been issued by HM Revenue and Customs to those affected. However, according to the Conservative Party, errors are still being made.
Conservatives: Apology Letters Sent to Wrong Addresses
Party members say they have heard from concerned parents who have received letters intended for other people.
The missing data was reported on the 20th November by the UK Chancellor, Alistair Darling. The discs themselves carry personal information relating to every UK family with a child below 16 years of age.
The data includes their names, addresses and, in some instances, bank details.
The chairman of HM Revenue and Customs, Paul Grey, has since resigned from his post.
One letter recipient is Manjit Mojoria, who lives in Warwickshire.
Ms Mojoria described having received seven such documents, all of which were not addressed to her. The information contained within included names, National Insurance numbers and Child Benefit details. "It really is a very silly and absolutely awful mistake to make when trying to re-instil confidence", she stated.
Upon contacting HMRC, Ms Mojoria added, the impression given her was that she was "not in the minority."
Another letter recipient, this time in Oxfordshire, stressed: "Not only did they cock up the missing discs, they are also sending out families personal data to other families."
George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, referred to the situation thus:
"The HMRC can't even apologise without breaking people's confidences. Many cases are emerging all over the country of letters sent to parents to apologise for the loss of data, including the personal details and national insurance numbers of complete strangers."
Source - Security International's Current Affairs Correspondent
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