Advice on lost benefit information

Concerns have been raised after revenue and customs officials lost the entire child benefit records - including the personal details of 25 million people nationwide.

Rother CAB has given the following advice to those who fear they may be at risk from fraudsters:

* HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has set up a child benefit helpline on 0845 302 1444 for people who are concerned.

* There is no reason to close your account. There is no evidence of an increase in suspicious activity on any customer account involved since the data was mislaid.

The details lost are not in themselves sufficient for an ID fraudster to access your bank account - additional security information and passwords are always required.

HMRC is advising customers that if they use any personal data, like child's name or date of birth in their password, they may wish to consider changing their password

* As always, members of the public should be vigilant and follow existing security advice to help you spot and stop ID fraud being committed using your details.

This includes always checking your statements, opening post and checking bills and, if you spot an unfamiliar transaction, contacting your bank, building society or service provider immediately.

If you are the innocent victim of banking fraud as a result of this incident, as a UK customer, you will be protected by the Banking Code, which means you should not suffer any financial loss as a consequence.

* The HMRC has confirmed the missing data contained sort code and bank account details, national insurance numbers, dates of birth, names and address details of all families in receipt of child benefit, as well as the names and dates of birth of those children for whom child benefit is payable.

These details are not enough in themselves for an ID fraudster to access your bank account - additional security information and passwords are always required.

No other details '“ for example passwords or card details - were contained within the missing data.

* If this data were in the hands of a fraudster '“ and at present there is no evidence that it is '“ this type of information might help them to commit account takeover fraud, although additional information would be needed.

There is also a risk of a fraudster using those details to set up other credit or financial agreements, e.g. mobile phone accounts.