A ex-member of the security forces has expressed his 'grave concerns' after the Causeway Citizens Advice Bureau lost a laptop computer with his personal details on.
The Ballymoney man, who did not want to be named, also hit out after he received a letter dated 21 July 2008 only last Monday informing him of the loss and offering a help line which was to close by end of July.
In a letter to him, Angela Welch, M
anager of Causeway CAB explained: "I am writing on behalf of Causeway Citizens Advice Bureau to advise you that the bureau has suffered the loss of an outreach caseworker's laptop computer, resulting in the loss of an associated database containing a number of client records, including some information relating to you.
"This incident has been reported to the both Police and the Information Commissioner's Office and every effort is being made to recover the laptop and information contained within it.
"The database concerned would have included your name and address, and may have contained your date of birth and National Insurance Number depending upon what information was provided when you visited us.
"However, as this computer is not used to support money advice or debt management work undertaken by the bureau NO financial details are stored within this environment.
"The laptop computer concerned employs a multilayer security approach, including the encryption of all confidential material stored on the hard disk drive, and it is highly unlikely that any unauthorised person will be able to access and retrieve any data and misuse it for identity theft or any other criminal act.
"However, it you have any concerns surrounding this loss, or require further information relating to this incident you can call us on a special Telephone Helpline on 08007 835497 until the end of July 2008.
"Finally, I wish to offer my sincere apologies for the regrettable loss. "
Speaking to the Times, the Ballymoney man stated: "It is extremely worrying to think that a computer with your personal details on has gone missing and could be in the wrong hands - especially when your ex-security force.
"I am not happy to say the least, however it's even worse when the letter informing you is a month old. The helpline is out-of-date - so where do I go now for advice?"
A spokesperson for CAB added: "Rest assured that the laptop was highly passworded with a triple code. Therefore it is highly unlikely that anyone could access the information. However, anyone who has received one of these letters or has any concerns should simply call into their local CAB."
For more information call Causeway Citizens Advice Bureau on 028 703 44817.
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