DWP loses sensitive information
June 16, 2008
There has recently been another blunder, with yet another government agency losing sensitive data about consumers. The Department for Work and Pensions has admitted that it has lost hundreds of budgeting loan application forms, each of which contained a range of sensitive data about applicants, which could prove to pose a risk if the information falls into the wrong hands. A union official has branded the loss of this information as ‘outrageous’. Those that have recently made budgeting loan applications to the DWP have been advised to contact the agency as early as possible.
An official from the Department of Work and Pensions issues a statement reading: “Clearly we are extremely concerned that these payments have been delayed and we are striving to ensure no one is in hardship because of what has occurred. We are carrying out extensive checks with TNT to track down the whereabouts of the claims concerned.”
The agency admits that eight hundred budgeting loan application forms have gone missing whilst enroute to Newcastle. Amongst the sensitive date that was on the application forms was dates of birth, national insurance numbers, addresses, and names. This is the sort of information that fraudsters and identify thieves can easily use to conduct illegal and fraudulent activities in another person’s name, and to obtain goods or money by deception.
The loss of data comes just weeks after HM Revenue and Customs lost the bank and personal details of 25 million people after two disks went missing. HMRC also recently lost information relating to thousands of Standard Life pension plan holders. The DVLA in Northern Ireland has also recently lost the personal details of thousands of drivers that were being sent to the DVLA headquarters in Swansea.
Recent additions:
- Abbey’s 125% mortgage offer not appropriate
- BoE holds interest rates for fourth month
- Sale and rent back described as ‘daylight robbery’
- PPI still being mis-sold to millions
- Data loss blunders still continue The loss of sensitive information by big agencies, banks, and firms has always been a problem that has put consumers at increased risk of becoming victims of identity theft and fraud, but over recent months
- Loan fraud cases increase due to credit crunch According to a recent report the level of fraud cases in relation to loan and credit applications has gone up as the result of the global credit crunch, which has made it increasingly difficult for
- UK sees rising repossession levels According to recent reports the UK continues to see rising repossession levels after millions of homeowners with variable rate mortgages were left struggling to repay their mortgage following a series of interest rate rises over
- Consumers not getting effective advice from some mortgage advisors With mortgage borrowing costs currently high and availability of mortgages very low, it has become increasingly important for consumers to obtain effective and high quality advice when it comes to getting a mortgage, and in
- Is it time to scrap HIPs? There is no doubt that when legislation relating to Home Information Packs was brought in the year before last there was a great deal of controversy and dissatisfaction amongst both homeowners and various industry groups,
Comments
Got something to say?