The Home Office, Revenue and Customs, is caught in yet another data missing incident in which two computer discs containing the personal details of all UK families with a child under 16 have gone missing.

The Home Office, Revenue and Customs, is caught in yet another data missing incident in which two computer discs containing the personal details of all UK families with a child under 16 have gone missing. The latest and the most serious of a string of missing data incidents, it has put the fate of some 7.25 million UK families in jeopardy as the two discs hold vital information like name, address date of birth, National Insurance numbers and even bank details of over 25 million people.

Describing it as a serious failure on the part of the HMRC, Chancellor Alistair Darling appealed to people nation-wide to be on the look out for any unusual activity in their accounts. In his statement Mr Darling said that the incident occurred due to negligence of some junior HMRC officials to abide by the security procedures while sending information to the National Audit Office (NAO) for auditing.

The data was sent on 18 October but the senior management at HMRC came to know of the misplacement only on 8 November and the Chancellor was informed on 10 November.

Assuring the MPs and the people that the police have so far not had any strong proof that indicates that the information has gone to wrong hands, Mr Darling also ordered a separate probe into the security breach. The Chancellor also assured people that one falling prey to any fraudulent activity because of this incident will be given protection under the Banking Code and hence will not be forced to go through any financial loss.

Meanwhile, HMRC has set up a Child Benefit Helpline on 0845 302 1444 as a fraud protection measure to help people looking for more details. HMRC chairman Paul Gray had earlier resigned after he came to know of the incident.