Lloyds customers only told their data is missing after a month

A drive containing thousands of Lloyds Bank customers' bank details went missing from an insurer over the summer yet they were only informed of this fact last week.

The affected Premier account customers had taken out home emergency cover from Royal Sun Alliance.

The insurer has revealed that a device containing their names, addresses, sort codes and bank account numbers went missing from one of its data centres on July 30.

RSA has stressed that there is currently "no evidence to suggest the data has been misused in any way" and apologised for the incident.

The insurer said the device was reported as stolen to the police, although it declined to say when this had happened.

However, affected customers were only informed of the situation last week after the RSA sent out letters, more than a month after the device went missing.

Lloyds has confirmed it was informed of the missing device on July 30, and said it was supporting RSA's investigation.

RSA said is offering affected customers two years' access to Cifas identity protection.

However, because the insurer cannot take the protection out on their behalf, customers will have to apply themselves and pay the £20 fee, then request a refund from RSA.

The RSA response in full: "Unfortunately a data storage device has been reported as stolen from one of our data centres. We have advised our regulators and are in the process of contacting potentially impacted customers to apologise.

"We are working with the police on a full investigation and although there is no evidence to suggest that this data has been misused in any way, we are offering identity protection with Cifas for two years to provide reassurance to these customers.

"We recognise this should never have happened and apologise to all customers who have been impacted."

The Lloyds Bank statement in full: "RSA was the Home Emergency insurance cover provider for a small number of Lloyds Premier Account holders and the data was held as per standard data retention requirements and processes.

"We are continuing to work closely with RSA on their investigation and impacted customers have been contacted. Any of these customers can call the dedicated freephone helpline number 0800 316 809 to discuss concerns."