Irish life and pensions firm reveals massive loss of customer data

Life and pensions company Phoenix Ireland has warned around 50,000 current and former customers their personal data might be lost after a “tape” containing the information was misplaced.

The Irish Times reports that it’s understood the data was not encrypted and included names, addresses and bank account details.

The company, formerly known as Scottish Provident Ireland, told affected individuals that it believed it would “require an experienced IT specialist to be able to understand the data”.

The report follows a breach of security at US-based email and online marketing Epsilon, whose clients include Dell, McKinsey & Co, Kraft and Visa. Computer maker Dell earlier this month warned its Australian customers are at risk of “irregular or unsolicited emails” after the security breach.