HMRC CDs

Burnsy2023 · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:03

I saw this article on BBC News and I got talking with a friend who said that if they found the discs they would take a copy before claiming the reward and handing them in. I asked him why, and he said that he wouldn't sell it on or anything, but obviously liked the novelty of having everyone's details.

I said that he has no legitimate use for them and it'd only lead to problems.

So what would you do? Keep a copy in the archive or be honest?

Burnsy

allllec · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:05

Keep a copy. Never know when it could come in useful.

georges · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:06

I would have thought the "authorities" would search your house etc to make sure you didn't.

I'd probably make a copy too having said that.

Burnsy2023 · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:10

georges said:
I would have thought the "authorities" would search your house etc to make sure you didn't.

Easy ways of getting around that though, like post it to a friend abroad or something.

Burnsy

Morthoseth · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:12

Surely said discs had some kind of encryption on them? I never really caught that part of the story, but one would hope..

Burnsy2023 · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:12

Morthoseth said:
Surely said discs had some kind of encryption on them? I never really caught that part of the story, but one would hope..

Nope, they're not encrypted.

BBC said:
The two unencrypted discs, containing the entire child benefit database, were posted from HMRC offices October, but never turned up at the National Audit Office.

Burnsy

VonClinkerhofen · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:13

If you owned up to having it there would be no end of grief

lots of police questioning
Picture in the papers
Gossip, rumours, unwanted attention

Think I'd put them in the loft and keep schtum tbh

just read the OP again...reward? How much?

chiggz · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:14

hmm.. good idea! i'll keep it in mind for when they lose something else valuable

Deadly Ferret · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:14

georges said:
I would have thought the "authorities" would search your house etc to make sure you didn't.

What a great way to treat someone who has been decent enough to hand them in! :mad:

Morthoseth · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:15

Well, thats quite shocking to see - i understand what all the uproar was about now!

I probably wouldnt bother making a copy, after all... the temptation to look for people in them would be pretty great, and nothing good would come of it anyway..

So i'll do the honest thing and just hand in the originals.

Goldy · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:17

If you were caught with a copy of the CDs you would no doubt be in very serious trouble. Breach of confidentialty, Official Secrets Act, definitely theft (Theft Act 1968) and im guessing a few other regulations that disapprove of copying government docs that were intended to be kept out the public domain.

"andy" · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:29

theyre in my cupboard with some aol cds

Muffin` · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:34

"andy" said:
theyre in my cupboard with some aol cds

You've got AOL's payment database too?!? You must have some of Warner's details aswell :eek:

Guy · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:38

Morthoseth said:
Surely said discs had some kind of encryption on them? I never really caught that part of the story, but one would hope..

Some of the previous CD of information were but had a password written on the disc....

Sean_UK · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:38

Whats this 'breaking news' scrolling on Sky news at the moment; regarding 7 CD's lost in last two and a half years, not more surely...

Visage · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:47

Goldy said:
If you were caught with a copy of the CDs you would no doubt be in very serious trouble. Breach of confidentialty, Official Secrets Act, definitely theft (Theft Act 1968) and im guessing a few other regulations that disapprove of copying government docs that were intended to be kept out the public domain.

DPA as well - unless you have good reason to have someones address then you're not allowed to obtain it (or attempt to obtain it).

something_totally_different · 5 Dec 2007 at 16:52

ive got them and have hidden them in a scooch album case. no one will ever look in there.

DannyDan · 5 Dec 2007 at 17:00

I'd just give them in or throw them away. Not interested in having everyone's details tbh.

I might have a quick look through the CD first, check for any pron.

something_totally_different · 5 Dec 2007 at 17:29

DannyDan said:
I'd just give them in or throw them away. Not interested in having everyone's details tbh.

I might have a quick look through the CD first, check for any pron.

considering the last person to have the CD`s was a 23 year old male civil service worker it will probably be gay pron.

scorza · 5 Dec 2007 at 17:31

georges said:
I would have thought the "authorities" would search your house etc to make sure you didn't.

I'd probably make a copy too having said that.

They'd have to get a search warrant for that.

I'd just turn the disks over to the authorities without making any copies as it would just be the right thing to do.