When I first read about the UK’s HFC bank email blunder, I could relate their customers feelings of frustration. Apparently the bank brilliantly emailed “urgent” messages to a huge list of banking customers, but did it in such a way that everyones email addy was viable to all of the other recipients. Ouch!

HFC bank sent “urgent” e-mails to 2,600 people but an error meant that each address was visible to everyone else on the list.

The problem was compounded when customers “out-of-office” messages began to respond, many containing home and mobile telephone numbers.

The bank has admitted it is in breach of data protection law and has credited affected people’s accounts with £50 compensation.

But many customers are still unhappy and are considering legal action.