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Return to Article: Lost charge card data raises ire of Senate leader

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  This is in reference to the letter sent by Bank of America, dated February 25, 2005, to the government credit card customers. The letter states "We have learned that a small number of computer backup data tapes were lost in shipment and identified as missing in late December. The tapes in question contained customer and account information for some GSA SmartPay government charge cardholders." A "small number" can be thousands or millions. If the government allows this to happen to its own, then what about the poor civilians like myself? What is the government going to do to Bank of America for allowing this to happen? What is the government going to do to protect its citizens from letting this happen again? If the government sits back and does nothing, then the poor citizens are the next targets...we poor citizens, like myself, are doomed. What is the government doing?

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 8, 2005 11:15 AM
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  Rumbles within the workforce are starting to emerge as the notification letters from BofA are starting to arrive. There is an immense sense of disbelief, that this could happen, and disgust that federal employees could be "forced" to obtain a card which many did not want and apparently, no safeguards were put in place to insure against a fiasco such as this. This situation adds to the developing sense of broken trust emerging in federal employment.

  The best recruiter for the next generation of the federal workforce IS NOT the measly percentages that are to be thrown around under Pay for Performance Programs. Rather, those on board now, including the high performers and slackers, are the ones who go home everyday to communities, families and friends. They are the ones who spread the word about government service. They are the ones who help bring others to serve. Pay for Performance and poor treatment of employee may still keep the applicant pools filled...in slow economic times. However, what will happen when the good times start to roll again? Will the high octane, supercharged movers and shakers stay where employee concerns are treated lightly? The answer is in the future but things are already starting to smell like the next crisis in federal employment..."high cost from HIGH personnel turn over!"

  Someone ought to be listening. Why is BofA not being made to communicate to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion in the name of each individual whom they held a card account? BofA lost data that THEY were entrusted to safeguard but the matter is being punted to each individual to fend for him or her self. Other than the senator's indignation, where is the leadership in preemptive actions which should be taken to minimize the effect from this "loss" and possible unauthorized disclosure of Privacy Protected Information? Someone should be listening....

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 4, 2005 10:44 PM
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  I wonder if those who don't read GovExec or watch the news even know about this. I have seen absolutely nothing informing us through the channels.

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 3, 2005 2:05 PM
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  Is anyone surprised? This is the private sector where the executives give low bids for poor service. Low bidder, Low bidder.

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 3, 2005 10:08 AM
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  Wake up Sen. Collins - Federal employees are being treated as second class citizens by the Bush administration and anything a big corporation like Bank of America does is just fine. The only reason this came to light was the fact that some of your fellow Senators had their information lost at the same time.

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 3, 2005 5:58 AM
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  Amazing.

  Congress makes the info mandatory, then acts surprised when the employees' data is stolen. Get ready for a huge increase in identity theft.

  Even Unions trying to protect employees are getting the shaft from this Adminstration. See http://www.flra.gov/fsip/finalact/04fs_072.html

  a recent case before the Federal Services Impasse Panel, which ruled against a Union proposal to prevent the employer from making employees give their social security numbers to credit card agencies.

  Employees should be able to opt out. But thanks to Congress, they can't. And thanks to Congress, they are now targets for crooks. And thanks to the Republican congress, republican White House, and republican appointed Federal Services Impasse Panel, there is no hope for employees.

  Time to retire, while you still can, before the republicans steal everything else from hard working employees!

  Jim Posted March 2, 2005 9:28 PM