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Bank of America Loses Data for 1.2 Million Federal Employees

On March 1, 2005, Bank of America announced that it lost computer data tapes containing customer information for 1.2 million employees of the federal government. The data tapes also contained information for a number of U.S. Senators.

Reports indicate that the data tapes were stolen often a commercial airplane in December 2004. The most likely individuals have been identified as baggage handlers, but no arrests have been made.

The lost data tapes contained individual information containing:

• Social Security Numbers
  
• Bank Account Numbers
  
• �Smart Pay� Charge Card Information
  

Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont is one of the Senate members that have come forward to acknowledge his inclusion on the data tape. Other Senators are believed to be on the list, but have no come forward.

Bank of America has apologized for the loss of the data tapes. If you�re a Bank of America customer and want to check on your information, you can call 800-472-1424. You can also place �fraud alerts� on your credit report by contacting the following:

• Equifax: 800-525-6285
  
• Experian: 888-EXPERIAN
  
• TransUnion: 800-680-7289
  

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