As an update on a story reported here, BBC is now reporting that the computers stolen from the Department of Finance and Personnel in Belfast contained personal financial details:
An email informed them that the computers contained information such as national insurance numbers and bank account details.
It read: “Two of the laptops contained a wide range of personal data on a number of files.
“This included employee name, home address, payroll number, National Insurance Number and date of birth”
“Separate details of some individuals’ bank or building society accounts were contained on one of these laptops and these individuals are being contacted separately and immediately with more detailed information and advice.
“Their banks have already been contacted”
The department said all the machines were password-protected.