The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is conducting an audit of Halifax Bank of Scotland's (HBOS) data security procedures after it was revealed that the bank was putting customers' financial documents in ordinary bins.   more »

ISP PlusNet has had its email database stolen and its users' accounts bombarded by spammers, AGAIN!. The attack first surfaced yesterday, when PlusNet punters reported that previously spam-free email addresses were being filled with unsolicited discount pharmacy marketing. Some forum posters report that a few of their webmail contacts have received more spam too. There is also speculation amongst users as to whether the legally required data retention areas of the PlusNet system have been hacked, releasing details of users sent and received emails.   more »

French investment bank BNP Paribas has been fined £350,000 by the UK's Financial Services Authority for systems and control failures at its London-based private banking unit that allowed a senior manager to steal £1.4 million from client accounts. We hope that in the future the FSA will be taking similar actions against Banks, Businesses and Public/Government Institutions for the crime of ‘enabling fraud’ in the same way as the internal fraud cases.   more »