The Transportation Security Agency has lost an external computer hard drive containing the personal, bank and payroll information of up to 100,000 of its former and current employees who worked for the TSA from January 2002 until August 2005. It was reportedly stolen from a human resources office in Crystal City, VA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Secret Service are now helping the TSA investigate the theft. The TSA learned about the missing hard drive sometime Thursday, but the agency informed possibly affected employees Friday evening - a delay which has upset some employees.
TSA spokesperson Ellen Howe reassured agency employees by stating the TSA was "not trying to stall." "TSA has no evidence that an unauthorized individual is using your personal information, but we bring this incident to your attention so that you can be alert to signs of any possible misuse of your identity," said Kip Hawley, TSA Administrator. Letters were sent out to all affected employees promising one year of credit monitoring services. The agency employs almost 50,000 people and is responsible for securing transportation systems in the country, including airports and railroads.