HSBC bank admits losing personal data on 370,000 customers in post

A leading High Street bank admitted today that it had lost a disc containing the personal details of 370,000 of its customers.

HSBC is now facing the prospect of an investigation by the Financial Services Authority, the City watchdog, into its data security.

The missing disc contained the names, dates of birth and insurance cover levels of people with life assurance at the bank, generally linked to a mortgage. It also includes health details, such as whether a person smokes.

The disc went astray about six weeks ago, after being sent by Royal Mail from the group’s offices in Southampton to Swiss Re, a financial company that re insures HSBC's life insurance.