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The Department for Work and Pensions is said to be ‘extremely concerned’ after confidential information about JobcentrePlus customers was accidentally posted to a man claiming benefits.

An investigation is underway into the data breach involving Colchester JobcentrePlus. According to reports, the personal details of eight jobseekers – including their names and National Insurance Numbers – were sent by mistake to another customer, who handed the information in to a local newspaper.

In a statement, the DWP said:

“We have recovered the information and are looking into this to find out what happened and the measures we need to take to prevent this occurring again.”

Source: Essex County Standard, 9 March 2010.