An investigation has been launched after the personal details of almost 2,000 council workers were leaked in a major security breach.
Sensitive data including bank account details, addresses and national insurance numbers of employees and councillors at East Devon District Council were sent to a private email address by a former manager.
Councillors have described the incident as “disturbing” and trade union representatives are advising workers on how to deal with the consequences of the breach.
Fraud experts have been drafted in to help with the investigation and the findings are expected to go to the police.
A helpline has also been set up for concerned workers.
Council bosses said a former senior manager, with access to payroll reports, sent a spreadsheet to a personal email address at home shortly before leaving his employment.
The council says the incident was “unauthorised” and affects 1,891 staff, councillors, employees of Leisure East Devon and pensioners formerly employed at the council.
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