[LINK] ATO loses CD with private details

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

ATO loses CD with private details
Mahesh Sharma
October 30, 2008
The Australian
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24575839-15306,00.html

THE Australian Taxation Office has lost a disk containing the tax 
details of thousands of people.

The ATO admitted that the CD was not encrypted.

It contained the name, address and super fund tax file numbers for 3,122 
trustees and was being couriered to the ATO, but failed to reach the 
department.

The Tax Office was notified about the missing CD on October 3 but only 
sent out letters to the victims last Friday, offering to re-issue the 
tax file numbers for their super funds.

The Tax Office would not disclose the name of the courier company 
responsible for the loss.

Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo said there is a risk the information 
could be misused if it fell into the wrong hands.

"I am concerned that this parcel containing taxpayer information has 
failed to be delivered," Mr D’Ascenzo said in a statement. "Even though 
the courier believes the parcel is still within their warehouse facilities."

"While there is no evidence the information has fallen into the wrong 
hands or been misused, I am taking the matter seriously."

-- 
 
Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au