NS&I customer data update after email messages blocked

NS&I has released a statement for its customers following a series of blocked emails. The Premium Bonds operator has clarified the security measures it currently employs.

Andy Ward, SVP International of cyber security group Absolute Security , said: "Any organisation and any person can be a target for cybercriminals, so it's vital that security systems are prepared to deal with threats, particularly when large sums of money are involved." He spoke the tactics that scammers use.

He warned: "Malicious actors are using tactics such as AI-generated phishing emails in an attempt to trick staff into falling for scams, giving cybercriminals their route in to wreak havoc, which can often lead to wider disruption. For organisations like NS&I, even a short disruption could have severe implications for customers, so it's vital that security teams ramp up their defences and prepare to recover and respond to cyber threats."

When approached for regarding the statistics, an NS&I spokesperson said: "NS&I takes the security of its systems very seriously and has robust processes in place to detect and prevent malicious communications to keep our systems and customer data secure."

The organisation clarified that the Freedom of Information request related exclusively to incoming emails to NS&I and did not include any correspondence sent to customers.

The revelation follows a significant incident in which NS&I account holders were locked out of their savings . Approximately 37,000 customers were impacted, with up to £476million in deposits affected.

The problem particularly affected grieving relatives of deceased account holders who had difficulties in accessing their late family members' savings. Online expert Charlotte Wilson, head of enterprise for UK & Ireland at cyber security software group Check Point , said: "So many hacks leak data on people yet as a society, we have become worryingly liberal with handing over our sensitive personal and financial details.

"Whether it's filling out forms to get discounts, participating in loyalty schemes, or giving away email addresses for digital receipts, so much data gets freely handed over, increasing the stakes of each cyber hack. When it comes to incidents such as NS&I's lost savings, where there's lots of data involved, AI makes it easy for cybercriminals to find vulnerabilities, which increases the chances of attacks."

She urged consumers to be vigilant what information they . She said: "Consumers not understanding the risks of sharing data makes defending increasingly difficult. It's not always a case of losing financial data, as other personal data, such as the last item purchased or the investment company used, can start a trail that results in a much bigger breach."