Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 12 Jan 2009

Important Information

The deadline to enroll in Triple Advantage which is the upgraded credit monitoring services offered by BNY Mellon is January 31, 2009.

What is new since the September 11 update?

Current and former SAIC stockholders and optionees with a U.S. Social Security number or taxpayer identification number and U.S. credit history, even if unaffected by the BNY Mellon data loss, are now eligible to enroll in upgraded credit monitoring services.

SAIC stockholders and optionees may now sign up for the free upgraded credit monitoring service, Triple Advantage℠ from ConsumerInfo.com, a part of Experian®. With Triple Advantage, you will still receive the two years of free credit monitoring and $25,000 in identity theft insurance (where permitted by state law) available under Triple Alert℠. You will also now receive:

  1. A free, one-time 3 Bureau (Experian, TransUnion® and Equifax®) credit report; and
  2. Unlimited access to Experian-only credit reports and credit scores throughout the two-year membership.

Even if you are already enrolled in Triple Alert, you are eligible to enroll in Triple Advantage.

You will need a new unique single-use activation code to enroll in Triple Advantage. BNY Mellon is mailing a second letter to all SAIC stockholders and optionees affected by the data loss which will contain a new activation code. If you were not affected by the data loss and want to enroll in Triple Advantage, or if you were affected but do not want to wait to receive your letter, please contact BNY Mellon to obtain a Triple Advantage activation code at SAIC's exclusive numbers: (877) 277-8001 (domestic) or 201-680-6878 (international). International callers may call this number collect.

Once you obtain the access code, you may sign up for Triple Advantage either online at http://partner.consumerinfo.com/assistance or by phone at 877-534-6999. Stockholders and optionees with an international address, who have a U.S. Social Security number or U.S. taxpayer identification number and a U.S. credit history, may only enroll in Triple Advantage online.

How do I enroll in the free Triple Advantage credit monitoring offered as remediation by BNY Mellon?

You will need a new unique single-use activation code to enroll in Triple Advantage. BNY Mellon is mailing a second letter to all SAIC stockholders and optionees affected by the data loss which will contain this new activation code. If you were not affected by the data loss and want to enroll in Triple Advantage, or if you were affected but do not want to wait to receive your letter, please contact BNY Mellon to obtain a Triple Advantage activation code at SAIC's exclusive numbers. If domestic, please call BNY Mellon at 877-277-8001. If you are an international stockholder who has a U.S Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification number, please dial 201-680-6878 (call can be made collect). BNY Mellon Customer service representatives are available 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET Mondays-Fridays, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ET Saturdays. (Note: this is a dedicated number. Please do not use the regular BNY Mellon SAIC stock transaction number for information regarding this data security issue.)

Once you have obtained your activation code, you can enroll in Triple Advantage either online or by phone. Consider carefully your preferred delivery mechanism (online/e-mail or U.S.P.S. first class mail) when choosing to enroll in Triple Advantage online or by phone.

  • Online: You may sign up for the Triple Advantage credit monitoring service online at http://partner.consumerinfo.com/assistance. Please use this specific URL and do not use any other Triple Advantage URL to enroll. If you sign up online for Triple Advantage, you will receive one free 3 Bureau credit report online at the ConsumerInfo.com web site and alerts of changes to your credit reports via email. Your 3 Bureau credit report will be available to download or print for 30 days from your online enrollment. You may also request free Experian-only credit reports and credit scores during the two-year enrollment at this web site.

    Note: Stockholders and optionees with an international address, who have a U.S Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification number and a U.S. credit history, may only enroll in Triple Advantage online.
  • Telephone: You may sign up for the Triple Advantage credit monitoring service by calling Experian at 877-534-6999. Experian customer service representatives are available 8 a.m.-9 p.m. ET Mondays-Fridays, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. ET Saturdays. If you sign up for Triple Advantage by phone, you will receive your one time free 3 Bureau credit report, alerts of changes to your credit reports and any Experian-only credit reports and credit scores you order via U.S. Postal Service first class mail. You will receive your 3 Bureau credit report usually 7-10 business days from the date of enrollment. You can request the subsequent, unlimited, Experian-only credit reports and credit scores during the two-year enrollment by calling Experian at 866-252-0121.

Please be aware that there may be long wait times to speak to an Experian customer service representative to sign up for the credit monitoring service by phone. You may also hear an automated message asking for you to call back at a later time. BNY Mellon is addressing the wait times with Experian to improve their service. You may avoid these long wait times by signing up for the credit monitoring service online at http://partner.consumerinfo.com/assistance.

I am already enrolled in BNY Mellon's original credit monitoring service offering, Triple Alert. Why should I enroll in Triple Advantage as well?

In addition to providing two years of free credit monitoring, Triple Advantage offers individuals:

  • A free 3 Bureau credit report, which combines your credit reports from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian, and
  • Unlimited access to free copies of the Experian-only credit reports and credit scores throughout the two-year enrollment.
If I already enrolled in Triple Alert, will I automatically be upgraded to the Triple Advantage product?

No. Current and former SAIC stockholders and optionees interested in signing up for Triple Advantage will need to obtain another activation code specific for Triple Advantage and enroll either online or via phone.

Are there any differences between signing up for Experian's credit monitoring service online or over the phone?

Yes. If you sign up for Triple Advantage credit monitoring service online at http://partner.consumerinfo.com/assistance, you will receive your 3 Bureau credit report, which combines your credit reports from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian, online at the ConsumerInfo.com web site and alerts of changes to your credit reports via e-mail. Your 3 Bureau credit report will be available to download or print for 30 days from your online enrollment. You may also request free Experian-only credit reports and credit scores during the two-year enrollment at this web site. Note: Please note that credit monitoring alerts will be sent to the e-mail address you submitted upon your enrollment. If your e-mail address changes during the two-year duration of your membership, you must update your e-mail address at your ConsumerInfo.com account or else you may no longer receive your alerts.

Stockholders and optionees with an international address, who have a U.S Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification number and a U.S. credit history, may only enroll in Triple Advantage online.

If you sign up for the Triple Advantage credit monitoring service by phone, you will receive your 3 Bureau credit report, credit monitoring alerts and any Experian-only credit reports and credit scores you order via U.S. Postal Service first class mail. You will receive your 3 Bureau credit report usually 7-10 business days from the date of enrollment. You can request subsequent Experian-only credit reports and credit scores during the duration of the two-year enrollment by calling Experian at 866-252-0121.

Please be aware that there may be long wait times to speak to an Experian customer service representative to sign up for the credit monitoring service by phone. You may also hear an automated message asking for you to call back at a later time. BNY Mellon is addressing the wait times with Experian to improve their service. You may avoid these long wait times by signing up for the credit monitoring service online at: http://partner.consumerinfo.com/assistance.

Please consider carefully your preferred delivery mechanism when selecting how to enroll in Experian's service.

How was the data put at risk of compromise?

On February 27, 2008, BNY Mellon's third-party data storage vendor, Archive Systems, Inc., reported that a metal box containing six magnetic tapes of backup data on BNY Mellon stock transactions for a number of clients was missing in transit to a storage facility.

When was SAIC initially informed of the loss?

BNY Mellon initially informed SAIC of the incident on March 11, 2008. BNY Mellon provided additional information to SAIC on August 28, 2008 after they received information from an outside forensic investigation firm.

What was on the tapes?

The tapes contained certain personal information from a large number of BNY Mellon's clients, including the shareholder's name, address, Social Security number or other U.S. tax identification number, stock account information, transaction activity and possibly bank account number.

Was the backup data contained on the magnetic tapes encrypted?

No, the data contained on the tapes were not encrypted; however, BNY Mellon has told SAIC that special equipment is required to read the data on the tapes. BNY Mellon has also told SAIC they are now encrypting the data.

What personal information might have been compromised?

Personally identifiable information including the shareholder's name, address, Social Security number or other U.S. tax identification number, account information and transaction activity were included on the tapes. SAIC Stock Programs did not provide your bank account number to BNY Mellon. However, bank account information could have also been included if an affected stockholder had provided BNY Mellon with bank account information.

Why does BNY Mellon have my personal information?

BNY Mellon is the transfer agent for SAIC stock and Stock Plan Administrator for bonus stock, options and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Personal information concerning account holders for other BNY Mellon client companies was also on the tapes.

I do not have a Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification, am I affected by BNY Mellon's second notification?

No. No personally identifiable information of account holders with non-U.S. tax identification numbers has been found by BNY Mellon to be at risk.

How many SAIC stock accounts were involved?

BNY Mellon initially reported that records for 1,376 SAIC accounts were on the missing tapes. BNY Mellon began mailing letters to affected account holders Friday, March 21, 2008.

However, on August 28, 2008, BNY Mellon Shareowner Services provided further updates to SAIC. In these updates, BNY Mellon informed SAIC that the data loss was greater than first confirmed and that personal data for nearly all current and some former SAIC stock account holders who held stock after February 1, 2006, or who held stock options or restricted stock after January 1, 1993, may be at risk of compromise. BNY Mellon estimates that some 41,000 SAIC account holders are now known to be affected. BNY Mellon said, however, it had no reason to believe the data had been accessed or improperly used.

Why did BNY Mellon raise the number of persons affected from their initial report in March 2008?

BNY Mellon said it raised the number of persons affected after receiving the report of an outside forensic investigation firm it hired to further investigate the matter. The forensic investigation took several months to complete.

Where may I obtain information directly from BNY Mellon regarding this data breach?

BNY Mellon provided a toll-free number, 877-277-8001, that account holders may call for additional information. If you are an international stockholder who has a U.S Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification number, please dial 201-680-6878 (call can be made collect). Information can also be found on BNY Mellon's web site concerning the incident at http://www.bnymellon.com/tapequery.

When and how will I know if I am part of the new population affected by this incident?

BNY Mellon has sent letters to affected account holders who had not been previously notified earlier this year. These letters informed the affected account holders that their name, address, Social Security Number or other U.S. tax identification number, stock account information, transaction activity and possibly bank account number may have been on the tapes. These letters also provided an activation code to enroll in free Triple Alert credit monitoring service with Experian. Subsequent to the mailing of these letters, SAIC stockholders and optionees became eligible to sign up for a free upgraded credit monitoring service, Triple Advantage from ConsumerInfo.com, a part of Experian. BNY Mellon is sending a second letter to all affected SAIC stockholders and optionees containing a new activation code to enroll in Triple Advantage. Individuals can also call 877-277-8001 to obtain another activation code specific for Triple Advantage. If you are an international stockholder who has a U.S Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification number, please dial 201-680-6878 (call can be made collect).

Do I have to wait for my letter to find out if I am affected and enroll in the Triple Advantage credit monitoring service?

No. You do not need to wait for a letter from BNY Mellon to find out if you are affected or to obtain an activation code to enroll in Triple Advantage. All SAIC stockholders and optionees with a U.S. Social Security number or taxpayer identification number and a U.S. credit history may now enroll in Triple Advantage regardless of whether they were affected by the BNY Mellon data loss.

If you were not affected by the data loss and want to enroll in Triple Advantage, or if you were affected but do not want to wait to receive your letter, please follow the steps below to contact BNY Mellon to obtain a Triple Advantage activation code:

  1. Call BNY Mellon at 877-277-8001. If you are an international stockholder who has a U.S Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification number, please dial 201-680-6878 (call can be made collect). BNY Mellon Customer service representatives are available 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET Mondays-Fridays, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ET Saturdays. (Note: this is a dedicated number. Please do not use the regular BNY Mellon SAIC stock transaction number for information regarding this data security issue.)
  2. To speak with a BNY Mellon customer service representative, stay on the line. If you hear automated prompts, disregard them and wait for a customer service representative to answer. You may be asked to provide your first name, last name and last three digits of your social security number to determine if your information may have been compromised.
  3. Regardless of whether or not you have been affected by BNY Mellon's data loss, the BNY Mellon customer service representative will provide you with an activation code and instructions regarding enrolling in Triple Advantage.

Once you have obtained your activation code, you can enroll in Triple Advantage either online or by phone. Consider carefully your preferred delivery mechanism (online/e-mail or U.S.P.S. first class mail) when choosing to enroll in Triple Advantage online or by phone. Stockholders and optionees with an international address, who have a U.S. Social Security number or U.S. taxpayer identification number and a U.S. credit history, may only enroll in Triple Advantage online at http://partner.consumerinfo.com/assistance.

Please do not call the regular BNY Mellon SAIC stock transaction number for information regarding this data security issue.

Am I still eligible to enroll in the free Triple Advantage credit monitoring service even if BNY Mellon has not confirmed that I am an affected stockholder or optionee?

Yes. BNY Mellon has agreed to provide an activation code for all current and former SAIC stockholders and optionees with a U.S. Social Security number or taxpayer identification number and a U.S. credit history to sign up for the free credit monitoring service, even if they are not on the list of those affected by the data loss. You may call the toll-free number for SAIC stockholders at 877-277-8001 to obtain the activation code. If you are an international stockholder who has a U.S Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification number, please dial 201-680-6878 (call can be made collect). BNY Mellon customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ET Saturdays. After obtaining their activation code, SAIC stockholders and optionees with an international address, who have a U.S. Social Security number or U.S. taxpayer identification number and a U.S. credit history, may only enroll in Triple Advantage online at http://partner.consumerinfo.com/assistance.

Please do not call the regular BNY Mellon SAIC stock transaction number for information regarding this data security issue.

Am I eligible to enroll in the free Triple Advantage credit monitoring service if I have a non-U.S. home address of record?

Current and former SAIC stockholders and optionees who have a non-U.S. home address of record can enroll in Triple Advantage if they have all of the following:

  • A U.S. Social Security or U.S. tax payer identification number and
  • A past U.S. home address of record and
  • A U.S. credit history

Stockholders and optionees with an international address, who have a U.S. Social Security number or U.S. taxpayer identification number and a U.S. credit history, may only enroll in Triple Advantage online at http://partner.consumerinfo.com/assistance.

Please do not call the regular BNY Mellon SAIC stock transaction number for information regarding this data security issue.

What is BNY Mellon doing for those whose information is at risk?

BNY Mellon is offering free credit monitoring for a 24-month period through ConsumerInfo.com, Inc., an Experian Company. BNY Mellon first offered Experian's Triple Alert credit monitoring service. SAIC stockholders and optionees now have the opportunity to enroll in a free, upgraded credit monitoring service, Triple Advantage from ConsumerInfo.com, a part of Experian. With Triple Advantage, you will still receive the two years of free credit monitoring and $25,000 in identity theft insurance through Virginia Surety Company with no deductible (where permitted by state law) available under Triple Alert. You will also now receive:

  • A free, one-time 3 Bureau (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) credit report; and
  • Unlimited access to Experian-only credit reports and credit scores throughout the two-year membership.

Even if you are already enrolled in Triple Alert, you are eligible to enroll in Triple Advantage.

You will need a new unique single-use activation code to enroll in Triple Advantage. BNY Mellon is mailing a second letter to all SAIC stockholders and optionees affected by the data loss which will contain a new activation code. If you were not affected by the data loss and want to enroll in Triple Advantage, or if you were affected but do not want to wait to receive your letter, please contact BNY Mellon to obtain a Triple Advantage activation code at SAIC's exclusive numbers: (877) 277-8001 (domestic) or 201-680-6878 (international). International callers may call collect.

In addition, BNY Mellon is making available dedicated fraud resolution representatives for any potential victims of identity theft. Both of these benefits are part of BNY Mellon's agreement with Experian.

Also, if you decide to place a credit freeze, BNY Mellon will reimburse you for the cost of the initial placement and one removal of a credit freeze for each of the three national credit reporting bureaus.

Please note that, due to New York state law restrictions, identity theft insurance coverage cannot be offered to residents of New York.

How do I enroll in the free Triple Advantage credit monitoring offered as remediation by BNY Mellon?

You will need a new unique single-use activation code to enroll in Triple Advantage. BNY Mellon is mailing a second letter to all SAIC stockholders and optionees affected by the data loss which will contain this new activation code. If you were not affected by the data loss and want to enroll in Triple Advantage, or if you were affected but do not want to wait to receive your letter, please contact BNY Mellon to obtain a Triple Advantage activation code at SAIC's exclusive numbers. If domestic, please call BNY Mellon at 877-277-8001. If you are an international stockholder who has a U.S Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification number, please dial 201-680-6878 (call can be made collect). BNY Mellon Customer service representatives are available 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET Mondays-Fridays, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ET Saturdays. (Note: this is a dedicated number. Please do not use the regular BNY Mellon SAIC stock transaction number for information regarding this data security issue.)

Once you have obtained your activation code, you can enroll in Triple Advantage either online or by phone. Consider carefully your preferred delivery mechanism (online/e-mail or U.S.P.S. first class mail) when choosing to enroll in Triple Advantage online or by phone.

  • Online: You may sign up for the Triple Advantage credit monitoring service online at http://partner.consumerinfo.com/assistance. Please use this specific URL and do not use any other Triple Advantage URL to enroll. If you sign up online for Triple Advantage, you will receive one free 3 Bureau credit report online at the ConsumerInfo.com web site and alerts of changes to your credit reports via email. Your 3 Bureau credit report will be available to download or print for 30 days from your online enrollment. You may also request free Experian-only credit reports and credit scores during the two-year enrollment at this web site.

    Note: Stockholders and optionees with an international address, who have a U.S Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification number and a U.S. credit history, may only enroll in Triple Advantage online.
  • Telephone: You may sign up for the Triple Advantage credit monitoring service by calling Experian at 877-534-6999. Experian customer service representatives are available 8 a.m.-9 p.m. ET Mondays-Fridays, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. ET Saturdays. If you sign up for Triple Advantage by phone, you will receive your one time free 3 Bureau credit report, alerts of changes to your credit reports and any Experian-only credit reports and credit scores you order via U.S. Postal Service first class mail. You will receive your 3 Bureau credit report usually 7-10 business days from the date of enrollment. You can request the subsequent, unlimited, Experian-only credit reports and credit scores during the two-year enrollment by calling Experian at 866-252-0121.

Please be aware that there may be long wait times to speak to an Experian customer service representative to sign up for the credit monitoring service by phone. You may also hear an automated message asking for you to call back at a later time. BNY Mellon is addressing the wait times with Experian to improve their service. You may avoid these long wait times by signing up for the credit monitoring service online at http://partner.consumerinfo.com/assistance.

What are the benefits of signing up for the credit monitoring services?

SAIC strongly encourages all stockholders affected by the data breach to sign up for the free credit monitoring services that BNY Mellon is offering.

Credit monitoring will provide you with an early warning of changes to your credit file and will help you understand the content of your credit file at the three national credit reporting companies - Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Your complimentary 24-month Triple Advantage membership includes:

  • A 3 Bureau credit report, which combines your credit reports from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.
  • Daily monitoring of your credit file at Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
  • Alerts of key changes to your credit file that may indicate possible fraudulent activity.
  • Monthly "No Hit" alerts, if applicable.
  • Access to fraud resolution representatives for victims of identity theft.
  • Complimentary Experian-only credit reports and credit scores for the duration of the two-year membership.
  • $25,000 in identity theft insurance through Virginia Surety Company, Inc., with no deductible (provided to residents where permitted by law)

Individuals who only sign up for Triple Alert, the BNY Mellon original product offering, will not receive a complimentary 3 Bureau credit report or have access to Experian-only credit reports and credit scores.

Will signing up for credit monitoring services, fraud alerts and credit freezes affect my credit score?

No. Signing up for credit reports, credit monitoring services, fraud alerts and credit freezes will not affect your credit score.

If I have signed up for credit monitoring from more than one provider at the same time, will it adversely affect my credit score?

No. Receiving credit monitoring services from more than one provider at the same time will not adversely affect your credit score.

Where do I go to learn more about identity theft?

The Federal Trade Commission provides excellent general information on steps you may take to protect yourself against identity theft at its web site, Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/), including providing answers to the following:

  1. What are the steps I should take if I'm a victim of identity theft?
  2. What is a fraud alert?
  3. What is a credit freeze?
  4. What is an identity theft report?
  5. What do I do if the police only take reports about identity theft over the Internet or telephone?
  6. What do I do if the local police won't take a report?
  7. How do I prove that I'm an identity theft victim?
  8. Should I apply for a new Social Security number?
Is there reason to believe the information has been compromised?

BNY Mellon advises SAIC there is no reason at this time to believe the information has been accessed or misused.

What is a "fraud alert?" Should I place a "fraud alert" on my credit file?

A fraud alert tells creditors to take reasonable steps to verify your identity, including calling you, before opening new accounts or changing your existing accounts. A fraud alert may be placed or removed at no cost to you. An initial fraud alert stays active for 90 days. To request a fraud alert, you will need to contact one of the following credit reporting agencies:

The credit reporting agency you initially contact is required to notify the other two credit reporting agencies, who will also place a fraud alert on your credit file. You will then receive letters from all of them, with instructions on how to get a free copy of your credit report from each. You should keep a good record of the date you place your fraud alert and keep copies of all communications you make to or receive from the credit reporting agencies.

Be aware that placing a fraud alert does not always prevent new accounts from being opened or prevent a takeover of your existing accounts, so you should monitor any alerts sent to you by the credit monitoring services. Also, be aware that a company may not be able to immediately extend credit to you if your identity can not be verified at the time you are applying for credit. You should consider providing a mobile telephone number when placing any fraud alert if you have one.

What is a "credit freeze?" Should I place a "credit freeze" on my credit file?

A "credit freeze" (also known as a "security freeze") is a notification placed on your credit file so that no new credit can be opened under your credit file without the use of a PIN that is issued to you when you initiate the credit freeze. A credit freeze will prevent a credit reporting company from releasing your credit report in most cases without your consent.

The method for placing a credit freeze varies from state to state; therefore, you should contact the three national credit reporting agencies to determine how to freeze or unfreeze your account in your state:

Placing a credit freeze may restrict your ability to obtain new credit and may delay or slow your own applications for credit. In particular, a credit freeze could interfere with your ability to apply for and obtain a new loan, credit, mortgage, employment, housing, insurance, utilities or even cellular telephone service. Also, credit reporting agencies such as Experian, TransUnion and Equifax may take days or even weeks to freeze or unfreeze your credit, and may require written correspondence from you prior to performing these actions. No accounts will be frozen or unfrozen during non-business hours or on weekends.

Each of the credit reporting agencies generally charges a fee to freeze and another fee to unfreeze or permanently unfreeze your account ranging from 5 to 20 dollars per transaction. If you receive a notification letter from BNY Mellon and you place a credit freeze within 90 days of receipt of the letter, BNY Mellon will pay for the initial placement and one temporary or permanent removal of your credit freeze at each of the three national credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion).

As you cannot open new accounts or in many cases increase credit on current accounts without your account being unfrozen (which may be at cost to you if BNY Mellon has already paid once to freeze and unfreeze your account) you should carefully consider how a credit freeze would impact your own personal situation before deciding whether or not to place a credit freeze on your credit file.

What if I suspect identity theft?

BNY Mellon is offering personal assistance from a fraud resolution representative in the event of identity theft. You can contact BNY Mellon at their toll-free number, 877-277-8001. If you are an international stockholder who has a U.S Social Security number or a U.S. tax payer identification number, please dial 201-680-6878 (call can be made collect). Also, the Federal Trade Commission provides excellent general information on steps you may take to protect yourself against identity theft at its web site, Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/).

Do I have a right to a free credit report other than those available if I enroll in Triple Advantage?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the three credit reporting agencies to provide you with a free credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. You may visit www.annualcreditreport.com, the only web site authorized by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for this purpose, to find out more. This web site also provides instructions for making a request by phone (1-877-322-8228) or by mailing a request on a form supplied at the site and sending it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You also may request reports from the three credit reporting agencies at different times of the year which will permit you to examine a free credit report once every four months. Also, if you place a fraud alert, you will receive instructions about how to obtain free credit reports from each of the credit reporting agencies.

Why wasn't I notified sooner that my personal information was at risk?

Based on information SAIC received from BNY Mellon, SAIC believed all known SAIC account holders at risk were identified in March, 2008. On August 28, 2008, BNY Mellon notified SAIC that an additional forensic evaluation discovered that a much larger population of SAIC accounts had been affected. SAIC posted communications to stockholders regarding this additional information on www.saic.com and https://issaic.saic.com/ on August 30, 2008.

Why did SAIC go to an outside vendor when its internal broker, Bull, Inc., worked so well?

Bull, Inc. was established as a broker-dealer to conduct limited, batch, periodic trades of non-public securities amongst employee stockholders and with the company. Many of the transactions associated with stock ownership, including option exercises and stock transfers, were carried out by SAIC's Stock Programs Department. The stock plan administration and transfer agent functions previously performed by Stock Programs are what SAIC outsourced to BNY Mellon in February, 2006. The outsourcing of these functions was required because post IPO, SAIC's internal systems and resources could not support the IPO-specific and ongoing requirements related to SAIC's publicly traded security (common stock) and non-publicly traded security (class A preferred stock).

What did SAIC do following the initial notice from BNY Mellon of the loss of tapes containing personal information?

SAIC sent their senior vice president and chief security officer to BNY Mellon's offices in March 2008 when SAIC was first notified of the loss of data. He reviewed BNY Mellon's investigation, the details surrounding the loss of the tapes, and the steps they were taking to improve their security going forward.

BNY Mellon made changes in their security protocol, including encrypting backup tapes. Details of their security improvements can be found at http://www.bnymellon.com/tapequery.

SAIC continues to review BNY Mellon's administrative, physical and technical security practices, polices and procedures. An SAIC team including its chief security officer visited BNY Mellon facilities in late September 2008 to conduct its second review of BNY Mellon's security practices, policies and procedures since the data loss.

What is BNY Mellon doing to prevent future security incidents?

Details of the actions being taken by BNY Mellon regarding its security policies and procedures, along with other information regarding this security breach, can be found on BNY Mellon's web site concerning the incident at http://www.bnymellon.com/tapequery

Will SAIC change service providers as a result of this incident?

SAIC requires a provider that can simultaneously support SAIC's transfer agent and stock plan administration business by providing stockholders, optionees, holders of restricted stock and ESPP participants with single-point access to both their publicly and non-publicly traded stock and incentive plan interests. BNY Mellon is situated to support SAIC's current needs. As SAIC does with any corporate vendor, SAIC continuously works with BNY Mellon to improve their support of SAIC's stockholders.

How do I move my stock from my BNY Mellon Shareowner Services account into a brokerage account?

The first step is to identify a brokerage firm where you either hold an account now or where you will open a new account. You must have a brokerage account into which your shares can be moved. Individuals who hold SAIC, Inc. class A preferred stock must convert their shares to SAIC, Inc. common stock before the shares can be moved to a brokerage account. Information on how to convert your class A preferred stock to common stock, how to sell it or on the two different ways to convert and move your shares to a brokerage account is available on SAIC's Investor Relations web site.

I no longer have stock at BNY Mellon — why was I affected?

There could be a few reasons. First, the tapes that were identified as missing included transaction data for several months. If you disposed of all your stock or moved it to a broker during this period of time, your data would have been included in the backup files.

A second reason is that as a transfer agent, BNY Mellon has regulatory responsibilities to maintain certain stockholder data for a period of time after an account has gone inactive. It is possible that this data retention requirement caused your account data to be included in one of the archive tapes that is missing.

A third reason is due to historical data that may have been transferred to BNY Mellon's database at the time of conversion because it was required for financial reporting purposes.

Should I change my bank account number?

SAIC Stock Programs did not provide your bank account number to BNY Mellon. If your account was affected and you believe you have provided BNY Mellon with your bank account information, you should consider changing your bank account number. Keep in mind that BNY Mellon does not currently collect bank account information from SAIC stockholders.

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