Bell announced that 22,421 user names and passwords and 5 valid credit card numbers of Bell small-business customers were posted on the Internet this weekend. The posting results from illegal hacking of an Ottawa-based third-party supplier's information technology system.

In line with our strict privacy and security policies, Bell is contacting affected small business customers, has disabled all affected passwords, and has informed appropriate credit card companies. We continue to work with the supplier as well as law enforcement and government security officials to investigate the matter.

Bell's own network and IT systems were not impacted. The issue does not affect Bell residential, mobility or enterprise business customers

With more than 21 million customer connections, Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business customers with leading TV, Internet, wireless, home phone and business communications solutions.