[Dataloss] (update) Missing: 25 million child benefit records

[lyger]

http://www.silicon.com/research/specialreports/digitaldefences/0,3800014341,39169217,00.htm

CDs containing the confidential personal details of 25 million child 
benefit recipients have been lost by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The records contain the names, addresses, dates of birth and National 
Insurance numbers of the entire HMRC child benefit database, which also 
includes the bank account details of more than seven million parents, 
guardians and carers.

Two password-protected CDs containing the child benefit information were 
sent unrecorded and unregistered by a junior HMRC official through courier 
TNT to the National Audit Office on 18 October but never arrived and have 
not been found.

The missing CDs were not reported to senior HMRC management until 8 
November and the Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling was then 
notified on 10 November.

[...]