I believe the English call this a "cock up"

1. Her Majesty's Customs & Revenue “loses” discs containing personal information on 25 million people.

Records for 25 million people, relating to child benefit payments for 7.25 million families, were sent using the HMRC's own postal system, called grid, but never arrived.

2. Somebody “finds” some discs that appear very similar to the missing ones, and (naturally) puts them up for auction on eBay.

Here we have two CD-R's for auction. They are not blank, but seem to have some sort of database written to them.

I found them in my local courier firm's sorting office, addressed to "Her Majesties [sic - o.g.] Audit Office - Child Benefits Section" and marked "Sensitive HM Government Information - DO NOT LOSE - ENSURE THESE DISKS DO NOT FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE CRIMINAL FRATERNITY"

They were obviously surplus to requirements.

3. But it appears that somebody else may have already gotten hold of the real ones:

From: Darling Alistair [mailto:whippingboy@treasury.gov.uk]
Sent: 21 November 2007 00:01
Cc: jacksmum@gmail.com; emilysdad@hotmail.co.uk; johnr@johnrobinson.co.uk; anothermother@yahoo.co.uk; ordinarybloke@upyourstreet.com; indebt@hotmail.com; josie@josiesmith.com; mum@buggered.co.uk; dad@bankrupt.co.uk; Leslie.Davies@councilestate.co.uk; Mumsie@waitrose.com; fatherof3@me.uk; 2kids@gmail.com; david.winters@insolvent.co.uk; fathers@4justice.org.uk; twins@newbabies.org.uk; info@emptymyaccount.co.uk; jill.gordon@withdrawn.com; twopointfourchildren@yahoo.co.uk; benji@overdrawn.com; anniek@pleasetakemycash.com; oh.bugger@emptied.co.uk; cjt@parent.com; Justin@suspicioustransaction.com; jason@bust.co.uk; sallyannleicester@hotmail.com; please.steal@mysavings.net; etc etc

Subject: FW: Please confirm your account details

Dear most gracious Sir or Madam,

I am Mr. Ali Darling a Banker with GaffeBungle Banking Plc, here in Whitehall. I am writing this letter to ask for your Support and co-operation to carry out this business opportunity in my department. We have copy of disk bought from criminal mastermind section on eBay, which is full of information on banks and addresses and national insurance numbers and kiddie names. We find your contact details on the disk, as you are valued customer of the national child benefit, and now we know all about your wife and two children including postcode...

Elsewhere: Coverage by The Register:

Posted by: Old Grouch in In Passing at 20:04:42 GMT | No Comments | Add Comment
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