nzherald.co.nz
Originally published March 13, 2012
An ACC file containing details of more than 9000 claimants was reportedly emailed to an unauthorised recipient last year.
The file is believed to contain about 250 sensitive claims cases, which deal with injuries resulting from sexual assault and sexual abuse.
One Auckland woman, who has a historic sensitive claim with ACC, said she was horrified by the possible breach.
"Things are put aside, and you're working through things and now it's all coming back,'' she told APNZ.
"You just want to get on with your life and this is shocking.''
Her claim related to an incident in 1993 involving her then father-in-law, and she was concerned any details being released now would cause problems at her daughter's wedding later this year.
"There are a lot of family members, including many who don't know, and the fallout from my name getting out could be huge,'' she said.
The whole story is here.
ACC Media Statement Regarding Privacy
13 March 2012
ACC deeply regrets this situation.
The facts are as follows.
On 1 August last year, one of our Auckland staff included amongst other information in an email to a client, a spreadsheet containing information pertaining to other clients. Details in the spreadsheet related to ACC claims that had been under review, and included client names, claim numbers and branches involved. There was no personal information in the spreadsheet.
In December, a client advised us that they were in possession of information not relevant to them.
ACC subsequently wrote to the client, requesting the information to be returned immediately.
I can now confirm that the information has been destroyed, and is no longer on the hard drive of the computer of the client who received it. Our next task is to contact each of the clients affected, to advise them of the breach and confirm that their information is now protected.
Clearly, we must review our internal processes to ensure this type of event doesn’t occur again. Can I reiterate ACC’s concern, and I’d like to apologise to all ACC clients.
Ralph Stewart
Chief Executive
Accident Compensation Corporation
The facts are as follows.
On 1 August last year, one of our Auckland staff included amongst other information in an email to a client, a spreadsheet containing information pertaining to other clients. Details in the spreadsheet related to ACC claims that had been under review, and included client names, claim numbers and branches involved. There was no personal information in the spreadsheet.
In December, a client advised us that they were in possession of information not relevant to them.
ACC subsequently wrote to the client, requesting the information to be returned immediately.
I can now confirm that the information has been destroyed, and is no longer on the hard drive of the computer of the client who received it. Our next task is to contact each of the clients affected, to advise them of the breach and confirm that their information is now protected.
Clearly, we must review our internal processes to ensure this type of event doesn’t occur again. Can I reiterate ACC’s concern, and I’d like to apologise to all ACC clients.
Ralph Stewart
Chief Executive
Accident Compensation Corporation
