A personal data breach involving information held by the Manx Treasury is being assessed by the Information Commissioner.

Supplier remittance advices were mistakenly sent to the wrong businesses.

The information contained in the notices included personal data such as names, initials, addresses or car registration numbers.

In a letter to those affected by the breach, the Treasury’s financial systems team said: ‘We sincerely apologise for this error and any concern it may cause.’

The Treasury said that as soon as the error was identified, it took immediate steps to contain and investigate the breach.

It insisted it takes the protection of personal data seriously and said that, following the incident, it had reviewed its mailing and remittance dispatch process.

The Treasury said it had also reported the personal data breach to the Information Commissioner.

Information Commissioner Dr Alexandra Delaney-Bhattacharya said: ‘I can confirm that the Information Commissioner’s Office has been informed of a breach of personal data by Treasury concerning remittance advices sent to wrong suppliers.

‘We are working with Treasury to assess the extent of the breach.’

Suppliers who have received a remittance advice not intended for them are being urged to destroy the document securely and not retain, copy, share or use any information contained within it.

Explaining what had happened, the Treasury said: ‘During the automated process involving the preparation and mailing of supplier remittances, a number of remittance advices were mistakenly inserted into envelopes addressed to other suppliers.

‘As a result, some suppliers have received a remittance that was intended for another person or organisation.’

It said this resulted in a potential risk of ‘loss of control over your personal or business data, loss of confidentiality of financial information, emotional distress and unauthorised use or disclosure of information’.

The Treasury said it had contacted affected recipients where possible and re-issued the supplier remittances.