Child Benefit ID Fraud Risk Article Discussion

Former_MSE_Dan

This is the discussion thread for the

Child Benefit ID Fraud Risk:
How worried should you be?

Please click reply to discuss.

hobo28

I'm not worried about the risk of ID fraud from the loss of this data. From the sounds of things this was a simple !!!! up rather than anyone stealing data. The chances are the disks are still lying around somewhere.

As an IT professional, what I am more concerned about is who thought it would be a good idea to send all the bank details, benefits information, names etc UNENCRYPTED on a couple of CD's!?!?! Let me ask another way, how many of us would write our name, address, bank details, card number and PIN onto a piece of paper then pop it in the post!?!?

And perhaps more importantly what else do we not know? If this is the way the government treat our data then I'm definately saying NO to the ID card scheme!

Browntoa

both Firefox and Internet Explorer 7 both have Anti-Phishing built in

make sure they are on......

Free and simple

James

The cheapest and most effective way of deterring ID fraud, protecting your own interest while fingering crooks can be found at

www.freeidprotection.co.uk (Check out the Media articles on the Home Page).

and in Martins words, stuff the banks before they stuff you.

Penny_Watcher

Like many millions of others, this morning I received a a grudging apology from Dave Harnett, Acting Chairman of HMRC explaining what has happened to the personal details of my children and I.

This letter included my name and address, child benefit number and NI number.

This letter was also unsealed :mad:.


So not only have my electronic data details been lost the idiots at HMRC they have compounded their error by having my details on view to any passing postal worker since the letter was sent on 21st November.


Oh, well done.

*getridofcredit*

Hi all, have been checking this site out for a week now and it is excellent!

However, I am absolutely sick of this country and quite apart from the worries of ID cards, now I have to worry about my personal information being used!

My question today is, has anyone else received letters or packages addressed to their house but with all different names?

After being at my address for over 8 years and NEVER having had this happen before, I believe it is no coincidence that I have received two such strange occurances in the space of 1 week.

The first was a letter coming from a company called Overclockers saying they had received an order but without additional ID they could not process this order. Firstly the order had a name on it which I simply didn't recgnise so I thought that was weird and secondly the additional details they asked for were copies of a driving licence and utility bill. This was very dodgy I thought! Is this phishing? Or was this a fraudulent order I wonder?!

The second came today from Additions catalogue with again a totally different name, even the courier said he thought it was strange as he didn't recognise the name at our address.
Also, when we refused the parcel, he said they had been 'getting alot of these' deliveries where the name is wrong but the address is right and people are obviously refusing delivery of them.

I am keeping all written correspondance and any details of other occurances.

I think it is naive of anyone to think that the data missing is not in the hands of criminals, I think it is starting to affect people now!

Is there any other website where people can report/gather info of any other strange occurances since the Child Benefit data loss?

P.S. If you want to say no to ID cards (we are on a virtual prison island if we currently say no to new passports which feature biometric testing), then go to http://www.no2id.net/.

This country is by no means free.

James

HM Revenue and Customs has confirmed that a further six data discs have gone missing in transit between its offices in Preston and London.

Story from BBC click here.

Latest on the www.freeidprotection.co.uk system from Today's Telegraph.

"we think this new initiative will play a valuable role in reducing the opportunities for fraudsters."

ID Fraud (The Telepgraph)

rb157

In Martin's article he mentions that important documents should be cross cut shredded..... But what constitutes an important document? What information or more critically combination of information do I not want in the wrong hands?

Annie021063

I shed anything that has more than just my name and address on it basically. You can then shove it in the compost bin and let the worms enjoy it - simple.

James

Great advice to shred, unfortunately others aren't so reticent with YOUR personal information, no matter which form it comes in paper or computer.

wannaberich41

just a question really. are we being informed if it is us they have lost the information on. i was going by the letter that penny watcher commented on. ive not received such letter but am still concerned.

I think the goverment should give everyone a free credit check........