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Hi all, just caught it on the news that a MOD laptop has been stolen that included 'details' on 600 000 persons from the Navy, Marines and RAF. This includes serving members, recruits, and people who have expressed an interest in joining.

They were pretty short on anymore information, and I'm sure more will come soon but in the meantime I just thought I would mention this to anyone who didnt catch the news.

EDIT: Just found the BBC link - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7197045.stm

Edited again: Just incase no one cares to read the whole link here are the important bits:

The MoD said it was writing to 3,500 people whose bank details were on the laptop's database

In some cases, for casual enquiries, the record is no more than a name.
But for those who progressed as far as submitting an application to join the Forces, extensive personal data may be held, including passport details, National Insurance numbers, drivers' licence details, family details, doctors' addresses and National Health Service numbers.

More information and advice can be obtained by emailing recruitdata@check.mod.uk from 1000GMT on Saturday 19 January.


Cheers

It's almost becoming a joke. Isn't that the fourth occasion now confidential data has gone missing? To be honest, I've lost count. Only yesterday a guy found thousands of personal documents somewhere near Exeter Airport, I think, just caught the last part on BBC Spotlight (Sout West local news). Crazy.

David

I could be wrong here but my theory is that you don't have to worry about details lost in this fashion. This is because fraudsters are quite clever people and so they will be clever enough not to touch any such database with a bargepole, they would come down like a tonne of bricks on fraudsters in general and that would just be bad for business. What I would worry about is paying via internet or telling your bank details to someone who calls you claiming to be your bank.

It's more the fact that any of us now have our addresses, passport numbers, NHS numbers, information on our family and so on out there. Its the principle of the matter that the information was given under the intention that it will be kept private.

This is because fraudsters are quite clever people and so they will be clever enough not to touch any such database with a bargepole, they would come down like a tonne of bricks on fraudsters in general and that would just be bad for business. What I would worry about is paying via internet or telling your bank details to someone who calls you claiming to be your bank.

No. This is an absolute goldmine. Can't trust a sailor with anything

All our real names are on that then.

The only consolation for me is (and most of us on here I'm guessing) my identity, being an 18 and a student, isn't worth the laptop it's been stolen from I mean, if the real me can't get a credit card, how's Joe Muggins the fraudster going to?? Hehe

misterpurple wrote:The only consolation for me is (and most of us on here I'm guessing) my identity, being an 18 and a student, isn't worth the laptop it's been stolen from I mean, if the real me can't get a credit card, how's Joe Muggins the fraudster going to?? Hehe

You're missing the point mate. It's not something I would want to discuss on an open forum though.

People too often misjudge what others are capeable of.

Oh well I was a learner driver so my details are already out there (apparently!) and there's a 50% chance that everyone here's details are out there too.

mm1306 wrote:Oh well I was a learner driver so my details are already out there (apparently!) and there's a 50% chance that everyone here's details are out there too.

Of course mate.
Bollocks to it though, not a single thing we can do about it.

Guys whilst we are all understandably concerned about this it needs to be put back in to perspective by the fact that this is not the first time a lap top with this information has been lost/stolen in fact its not even the second time ..... Its the third occassion that this has occurred.....

Refer to Des Browne's speach to parliment on the mod web site ..

An internal investigation is also underway by the MoD’s Head of Security into the wider security issues raised by the loss of this data. In the time available, this has established that, in addition to the laptop stolen on 9 January, 2 further laptops potentially containing similar data have been stolen.

A Royal Navy laptop similar to that stolen on 9 January was stolen from a car in Manchester in October 2006; and an Army recruiting laptop, containing details of around 500 individuals, was stolen from a Careers Office in Edinburgh in December 2005.

Seems the MoD censorship team went into overdrive on those occassions !

AIRBUS wrote: ..... Its the third occassion that this has occurred.....

Well no, it's the third occassion we have been told it has occurred, it is begining to happen so frequently it is almost becoming a regular thing, so it makes you wonder if this is something that happenes regulary.

I have also noticed, regardless of the establishment that loses our data, the blame is pinned on New Labour and/or Gorden Brown.

MrC wrote:I have also noticed, regardless of the establishment that loses our data, the blame is pinned on New Labour and/or Gorden Brown.

Well in my view they have no credibility regarding most issues.
Pack of liars.

If anyone is curious about their own details, ring up JPAC on:
0800 085 3600

Press option 7, and find out how much of your details have been given away, free courtesy of the MOD

Yup got my letter too. Not to worry though