Just a serious note. Ive just had about 10 txts from worried friends about the cockup with millions of pieces of personal data involving anyone who is in receipt of Child Benefit.
I used to work for the Inland Revenue and am not surprised in the slightest...
On the eve of the main story breaking headlines on tv, I immediately rang my own bank...and changed all my security details...there is no point panicing and changing bank accounts - my own bank advised me to check every entry each day and if there were any anomalies to ring immediately. I raised the issue of if some nasty fraudster tried to clear my account, who would compensate me for the loss. Apparently the banks are going to bear the brunt the cost of this major catastrophic event..
My advice is to be more vigilant than normal...change all your security details and to ensure you check each and every transaction on a daily basis..
Anyone in receipt of child benefit will have been involved in the loss of data.
Your name, date of birth, address, bank account details, national insurance number and also names and date of birth of any child you are are claiming child benefit for are on the missing discs.
Keep a watchful eye on your bank account BUT also watch out for anything arriving from banks, building societies etc that you do not bank with. The real problem lies in the fact that someone could clone your identity.
At the moment they seem to think that the discs haven't been lost in transit but just keep vigilant.
If you are at all concerned that someone is using your details fraudulantly then contact the company concerned immediately and verify what is happening and you can also contact Experian who will be able to produce a credit report that shows if anyone is applying for credit etc in your name.
I dont know many of us that would be flush, especially when you have 3 girls to take care of!! You never have any money when they are still growing up...its all those haircuts, clothes, outings, credit for mobile phones now, etc etc...but they are totally worth it....every penny...
Your identity is what they can take, they have all your details on that disc, applying for credit is the least of your problems!
They can forge documents (bank statements being one!) and apply for passports, driving licences etc. I work for a building society and we see it every day!!!
You just need to be extra vigilent and hopefully these discs haven't got to the wrong people and will be found!
It can take years for you to get identity theft sorted out, lots of stress and heartache involved. Don't underestimate this problem for heavens sake but don't worry about it too much, just take care.
Thanks for confirming exactly what it is we are dealing with, I dont even have a passport or driving license so I guess it would be easy for them to get one then - scary
Like TD said N68, you have got to remain vigilant...it IS a serious matter...just wanted to make sure everyone knew where they stood without frightening them to death...
i am a nervous wreck about it,but theres not alot we can do now,they have all the data,i guess we just gotta double check everything,letters we get from places we havnt contacted and stuff like that. as if there isnt enough to worry about when ur a single mum
To echo Nutkin....BUM!!! Just got back from a weekend away helping a mate move to be greeted by my (expectedbut dreaded) apology letter!
And as Witchy said...as if there isn't enough to worry about without those in control losing control of what's important to us!
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