HSBC loses data of 159,000 account holders as server goes missing

Mumbai: Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) has admitted to losing transaction data of 159,000 account holders following loss of a computer server at a Hong Kong branch.

The loss of a computer server at the Kwuntong branch of the global banking group, that could lead to the leakage of private data of 159,000 customers, invited customer wrath, some of whom opted to close their accounts.

The server went missing from the branch, which was undergoing renovation, on 6 April, HSBC confirmed last night.

The data stored on the server included the name, account number and transaction details of customers but does not contain any customer PINs, passwords or user IDs, HSBC said in a statement.

HSBC said it had lost track of the server even as the police said the server was stolen and they were still investigating.

"The server is protected by multiple layers of security. The risk of data leakage and fraudulent transactions resulting from the loss of the server is deemed to be low," the release added.