The Co-operators Group, a Canadian insurance company, has warned
more than 180,000 customers of possible identity theft, after data
management firm ISM Canada, an IBM subsidiary, lost a hard drive
containing their personal information, according to Associated
Press.
The information, including the clients' names and addresses,
banking and credit card details, social insurance numbers and
pension values, was apparently stored on a hard drive belonging to
ISM Canada. On 16th January 2003, the company discovered that the
hard drive was missing from its offices in Regina,
Saskatchewan.
Whilst local police are investigating the matter, the
Co-operators Group has sent letters to the clients whose details
have been exposed, urging them to be "vigilant" and notify their
financial institutions of any unusual activity, Associated Press
reports.
It appears that the hard drive contained personal information of
other companies' clients, though it is not yet known which
companies are affected.
ISM Canada reportedly said it is co-operating with the police
and claimed that the hard drive was "in a secure area within a
secure area."
