It’s time for the Government to act over data breach at HMRC

Independent financial website Fool.co.uk is calling on the Government to take decisive action over its self-inflicted fiasco at HMRC.

Some 25 million people are being put at serious risk until the two discs containing sensitive personal and financial information are found.

Solutions are coming thick and fast from the credit reference agencies, which are enjoying an unexpected boom time, thanks to the government, by offering access to credit references for £84 a year.

The reality is you don’t need to pay over the odds to keep a watch on your credit record. What’s more there is still no guarantee that fraudsters won’t get their hands on your money. Instead, people only need to register for protective registration with the not-for-profit organization CIFAS. This will stop fraudsters dead in their tracks.

David Kuo, Head of Personal Finance at Fool.co.uk, says: “It is wholly unacceptable that families are being frightened and getting fleeced over a bungle made by the Government. It’s also unacceptable that they should have to fork out any amount for something that isn’t their fault.

“People who have registered at credit-checking agencies should be reimbursed by the Government without delay. Additionally, the Government should proactively register consumers for protective registration until such time that the two discs are found. This is a small price to pay for the peace of mind of families whose lives have been disrupted by the security breach.

“The Government must step in immediately to ensure that those at risk are not financially disadvantaged through its incompetence. The Chancellor may have had his nose put out of joint, but there is no reason why innocent families have to be out of pocket.”