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Bank details of thousands of Lloyds's customers lost Bank details of thousands of Lloyds's customers lost
(about 2 hours later)
Bank details of thousands of Lloyds Premier account customers have been taken from an insurer, and customers have been warned to take out cover against fraud.Bank details of thousands of Lloyds Premier account customers have been taken from an insurer, and customers have been warned to take out cover against fraud.
Some Premier Banking customers who had emergency cover from Royal Sun Alliance (RSA) through their paid-for accounts between 2006 and 2012 have been told that personal information including their account details and sort codes are on a storage device that went missing in the summer.Some Premier Banking customers who had emergency cover from Royal Sun Alliance (RSA) through their paid-for accounts between 2006 and 2012 have been told that personal information including their account details and sort codes are on a storage device that went missing in the summer.
The insurer became aware of the theft at the end of July, and informed police and regulators. Lloyds has written to the affected customers to warn of the breach.The insurer became aware of the theft at the end of July, and informed police and regulators. Lloyds has written to the affected customers to warn of the breach.
An RSA spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately a data storage device has been reported as stolen from one of our data centres. We have advised our regulators and are in the process of contacting potentially impacted customers to apologise.”An RSA spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately a data storage device has been reported as stolen from one of our data centres. We have advised our regulators and are in the process of contacting potentially impacted customers to apologise.”
The insurer said it was working with the police on a full investigation.The insurer said it was working with the police on a full investigation.
It said there was no evidence to suggest that the data had been misused in any way, but it would be offering identity protection for two years to provide reassurance to these customers.It said there was no evidence to suggest that the data had been misused in any way, but it would be offering identity protection for two years to provide reassurance to these customers.
The spokeswoman added: “We recognise this should never have happened and apologise to all of our customers who have been impacted.”The spokeswoman added: “We recognise this should never have happened and apologise to all of our customers who have been impacted.”
Lloyds Bank would not disclose how many of its customers were affected by the breach. A spokesman said: “RSA was the home emergency insurance cover provider for a small number of Lloyds Premier Account holders and the data was held as per standard data retention requirements and processes.Lloyds Bank would not disclose how many of its customers were affected by the breach. A spokesman said: “RSA was the home emergency insurance cover provider for a small number of Lloyds Premier Account holders and the data was held as per standard data retention requirements and processes.
“We are continuing to work closely with RSA on their investigation and impacted customers have been contacted.”“We are continuing to work closely with RSA on their investigation and impacted customers have been contacted.”
The Information Commissioner’s Office, which is in charge of regulating companies’ handling of customer data, said it was aware of the incident and would be making inquiries.
The City regulator, the Financial Services Authority, said it was working with Lloyds and RSA to ensure there were steps in place to help those affected.
An FCA spokesman said: “We will also work with the firms to look at the root causes of the data loss, since we expect all regulated firms to have adequate systems and controls in place so that customers data is not left at risk.”
Customers who have been affected will need to contact Cifas to set up the fraud protection, but the £20 cost for two years’ cover will be reimbursed by RSA.
Lloyds Bank said customers affected by the theft could call freephone helpline number 0800 316 8090 to discuss their concerns.Lloyds Bank said customers affected by the theft could call freephone helpline number 0800 316 8090 to discuss their concerns.