Children’s charity Plan UK has suffered a data theft that could potentially result in its supporters, who include 90,000 people who sponsor a child, facing an increased risk of being targeted by fraudsters.
However, unlike telecoms company TalkTalk, the charity has not been hit by a cyber-attack – instead it has fallen victim to an old-fashioned theft of computer equipment containing personal information such as supporter names, addresses, emails, bank account numbers and sort codes.
Plan UK has written to its supporters urging them to “remain vigilant” following the break in at its London offices on 22 November, during which two intruders made off with five computer servers.
The charity works with children in the world’s poorest countries, and past and present celebrity sponsors include Downton Abbey actor Joanne Froggatt, TV presenter Esther Rantzen, Bafta award-winning actor Imelda Staunton and pop singer Eliza Doolittle.
Plan UK said no debit or credit card details were taken, and the information obtained by the thieves “cannot be used directly to access supporters’ bank accounts”. It added that the security measures in place meant that obtaining the personal information about supporters in the files “would be very difficult”.
However, it said: “We cannot fully guarantee that there isn’t a slight increased risk of supporters being open to fraud. We would strongly advise that you remain vigilant.”
The charity suggested that those with concerns should contact their bank.
Plan UK, which has 90,000 supporters sponsoring 96,000 children around the world, said it was “devastated” about the theft. A police investigation is underway and the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Charity Commission have been notified. Anyone with questions or concerns can contact Plan UK’s supporter care line on 0300 777 9779 between 8am and 8pm.
