14 DAY TRIAL // And the story continues. This time, we have an official statement from HMRC which published a 'Child Benefit customer update' on its official page to provide more information about the recent tragedy. In case you missed the news, although it's pretty difficult especially if you're living in UK, the HM Revenue & Customs, the department which has several tax collecting duties, lost some CDs containing sensitive details of about 25 million Britons. "This data includes your and your children's names and dates of birth, your address, your National Insurance number and, where relevant, the details of the bank or building society account into which your Child Benefit is or was paid," Dave Hartnett, the HMRC official who signed the message published on the website, stated.
The department created a special phone line that allows all the worried residents who are afraid of exploitation or malicious use of their stolen information to talk with an official and find out more information.
"The advice of banks is there is no need for customers to ask for a new account or to contact their bank or building society. Your Child Benefit payments will continue to be paid as before and you do not need to contact HMRC. However if you experience any problems, in the receipt of your Child Benefit payments, please contact HMRC on 0845 302 1444 between 8am and 8pm on any day of the week (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day)," the message reads.
Talking with the HMRC officials might bring you some additional information but don't expect to get all the details by phone. Here's what a reader of The Register wrote on the website after he contacted the helpline:
"I have just spoken to the HMRC helpline, and wanted to know exactly what information relating to me had been lost. Obviously the could not give me the information over the phone, that would not be secure! For anyone interested in getting a copy of their information that HMRC are holding, you can write to the address below with a covering letter. This letter should contain your request for the data held about you, plus the following: -Your full name -Address -NI Number -Child Benefit number (if you know it). It may be prudent to send this letter as a recorded delivery, or a secure delivery method - you would not want this information falling into the wrong hands!"