Personal details of 51,000 are lost

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The group said the back-up tape was lost during a routine transfer to a data storage centre in South Africa in August last year.

It said it had no evidence that the data had been misused, but it has written to all its customers whose details were on the tape advising them to take precautions.

The group refused to say what personal details were contained on the tape, but it is thought they include financial information and personal details that could be used by identity fraudsters.

Zurich UK has offered the 51,000 general insurance customers, who include both individuals and small businesses, free identity theft protection and free protection registration with anti-fraud group CIFAS.

It has also advised people to speak to their banks and other financial providers.

It added that it was confident letters alerting customers to the problem would arrive on Thursday, despite the disruption to the postal service caused by strike action.

The group declined to comment on why it had taken more than a year for the loss of the data to come to light.

It said it had appointed KPMG to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and to help it strengthen its data security procedures.

But it said its own investigation into the loss of the tape had revealed deficiencies in the management of data tape security procedures in South Africa.