30,000 customers affected by theft of BoI laptops

Bank of Ireland has revealed that more than 30,000 customers were affected by the theft of laptops from employees of the company last year.

The theft of the laptops was only disclosed last week, prompting criticism of the delay in making the matter public.

At the time, the bank said the unencrypted details of around 10,000 customers were on the computers.

However, it now says further investigations have found that more than 30,000 customers were actually affected.

The technical investigation has identified that details relating to 31,500 policies, policy applications and a small number of mortgage customers were contained on the stolen laptops.

"The additional numbers arise from the identification of further files not identified at the time of the original statement on the incident issued on Monday April 21," the bank said in a statement.

"We engaged KPMG to review the comprehensive process which we undertook to determine the extent of customer data held on the four laptops and they are satisfied that the approach was both reasonable and appropriate."

"The Bank has briefed the Financial Regulator and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner on the latest developments and will be cooperating fully with the investigation of the Data Protection Commissioner."

Customers from additional branches affected include Bray, Ardee, Arva, Ashbourne, Athboy, Cavan, Bailieborough, Cootehill, Ballybay, Dunboyne, Carrickmacross, Ballyjamesduff, Oldcastle, Kells, Navan, Trim, Kill O’ The Grange, Blackrock, Dun Laoghaire, Talbot Street, Greystones and Kingscourt.

In addition, a handful of other branches had a small number of people affected who will be contacted directly.