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.03 Feb 2003
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."