Bank of America Corporation, one of the world's largest commercial banks, has lost computer data tapes holding personal account information for 1.2 million U.S. government employees, including some senators.
Federal law enforcement officials and bank investigators say the security breach occurred in December when back-up tapes were being transferred by air.
Senator Charles Schumer of New York says he was told the tapes were likely stolen off a commercial plane by baggage handlers.
The North Carolina-based Bank of America says there is no evidence the tapes have been accessed or misused, and are now presumed lost.
Time magazine reports the lost data includes 900,000 Defense Department military and civilian workers, along with employees of 40 other federal agencies and organizations.
The data includes account information that could make employees vulnerable to identify theft or hacking.
Some information for this report provided by AP.