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Alexandra Trower, Bank of America 212.933.3382 (o), 917.971.4168 (c) CHARLOTTE, NC -- Bank of America today confirmed that a small number of computer data tapes were lost during shipment to a backup data center. The missing tapes contained U.S. federal government charge card program customer and account information. Federal law enforcement officials were immediately engaged when the tapes were discovered missing, and subsequently conducted a thorough investigation into the matter, working closely with Bank of America. The investigation to date has found no evidence to suggest the tapes or their content have been accessed or misused, and the tapes are now presumed lost. Government cardholder accounts included on the data tapes have been and will continue to be monitored by Bank of America, and government cardholders will be contacted should any unusual activity be detected. No unusual activity has been observed to date. Per standard Bank of America policy, government cardholders will not be held liable for any unauthorized use of their cards. Law enforcement authorities have now given Bank of America permission to notify by letter any U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) SmartPay® charge cardholders whose information may have been on the tapes. U.S. GSA SmartPay® charge cardholders with questions or concerns may contact the following special toll-free number – 1.800.493.8444 – for further assistance. “We deeply regret this unfortunate incident,” said Barbara Desoer, Global Technology, Service & Fulfillment executive for Bank of America. “The privacy of customer information receives the highest priority at Bank of America, and we take our responsibilities for safeguarding it very seriously.” About Bank of America
Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) is one of the world's leading financial services companies. The company's Global Corporate and Investment Banking group (GCIB) provides investment banking, equity and debt capital raising, research, trading, risk management, treasury management and financial advisory services. Through offices in 35 countries, GCIB serves domestic and international corporations, institutional investors, financial institutions and government entities. Many of the bank's services to corporate and institutional clients are provided through its U.S. and UK subsidiaries, Banc of America Securities LLC and Banc of America Securities Limited. For additional information, visit www.bankofamerica.com.
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One of the biggest domestic banks in the United States, Bank of America, has admitted to losing computer tapes containing 1.2 million federal employee accounts,  including the accounts of several U.S. senators, in a statement by the bank. According to the Pentagon, most of the accounts belong to  staff and civilians in the Department of Defense. The bank said the tapes were lost in December 2004 as they were being transported to a  data back-up centre by a commercial plane.

Currently, the U.S. Secret Service are looking in to the matter, a federal agency whose brief includes investigations of serious financial crime such as this. All parties concerned are worrying about possible identity theft as it contained valuable information such as bank account numbers, names and addresses.