The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency reports that law enforcement agencies are investigating the theft of some of its computer equipment from an office in Laval.

The CCRA says that the computers primarily contained information on contractors and sub-contractors in the construction industry. It insists that the databases do not contain information on personal income tax.

CCRA says that it has reconstructed the databases to recapture the lost data and to assess whether the data could be misused. While most of the information related to individuals and businesses operating in the construction industry and consisted of names, addresses, payments and business numbers of contractors and sub-contractors. It notes that some records also contained the social insurance numbers.

The CCRA has started sending letters to about 120,000 individuals with advice on measures to be taken to mitigate the risk of their data being used without their approval. The letter also provides a toll-free number that recipients of the letter can call for further information.

The computer equipment was stolen from the Laval Tax Services Office on Sept. 4. The Laval police are investigating and are being assisted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The CCRA is completing an internal review too.

The CCRA also says that it now has enhanced security measures in place at the Laval office, and it has undertaken an extensive review of its security policies and their application in its offices in Canada.