Aviva probes address errors claim

The UK's largest insurance company is looking into claims it mistakenly sent confidential information about thousands of customers' finances to the wrong people.

Aviva reportedly sent policyholders details about other people's pension plans, including the annual bonus paid out on each policy and the sum the customer would receive on retirement.

The firm, formerly known as Norwich Union, has apologised and asked those who had erroneously received the sensitive data to destroy or return the letters, according to the Mail on Sunday.

An Aviva spokeswoman said the alleged blunder was "something we're looking into".

The letter of apology said to have been sent by the company told recipients: "We have recently issued annual bonus statements for the type of pension policy you have with us.

"Unfortunately, we have discovered that during the mailing process the address details used in the letter became misaligned from the information used in the rest of the letter.

"As a result you will have received a statement at your address which doesn't correspond to you or your policy."

The spokeswoman said she had not seen a copy of the letter and could not confirm its contents.

Aviva provides 43 million customers with insurance, savings and investment products and is one of Europe's leading providers of life and general insurance.

In 2011 its operating profit came in at £2.5 billion.