A freedom of information request made to HMRC has revealed that its staff has lost almost £2 million worth of laptops and mobile phones since 2021.
Over 3,500 devices have been reported as lost, including 507 laptops and 2,300 mobile phones. This equates to an average of two laptops and ten mobile phones disappearing every week from the tax office. On top of this, a further 627 laptops and 145 phones were reported stolen during the same period.
HMRC have stated that security protocols are in place, with all equipment password-protected and able to be remotely wiped of any data if they are reported.
Understandably, these losses have drawn criticism during a period when HMRC is being criticised for its declining level of service and its work-from-home policies that many cite as the cause of the issue. William Yarwood of the Taxpayers’ Alliance campaign group called the situation “a disgrace”, adding, “if the taxman expects the public to keep track of every penny they owe, the least they can do is keep track of their own phones and laptops”.
So if you have still waiting for a call back from HMRC it may be because they have lost their phone and can’t call you back.