An IT hack could have put the financial details of 6,000 people in Lewisham at risk, the borough’s local authority warned today.
Lewisham Council confirmed that an ‘IT storage portal’ was accessed without official authorisation in April this year.
According to the council, there is no evidence of ‘inappropriate’ use of the data, but residents are being made aware of the data breach as a precaution, and people whose financial details may have been jeopardised being contacted directly.
The portal was used by the council as part of a homelessness project which it says stored data outside the authority’s core IT system – meaning other data is not at risk.
The breach has been reported to police and the council says it has tightened its security as a result.
Ian Thomas, Chief Executive of Lewisham Council, said: ‘Residents using our services are our highest priority.
“We sincerely regret this matter and are fully committed to doing everything we can to support those who may be affected.’
Anyone with concerns should call 0800 953 3045.