Gap Inc. announced that one of its laptops which contained personal information of 800,000 people who applied for jobs at the company was stolen. The data was from people who applied online and by phone from July 2006 to June 2007 for jobs at Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Outlet stores and included information such as Social Security Numbers, job histories, phone numbers and home and e-mail addresses.

Unfortunately, the data was not encrypted, which is contrary to the company's agreement with the third-party vendor that managed the applications data, which was were the laptop was stolen from. Gap doesn't want to name the firm or details about the theft.

"Gap Inc. deeply regrets this incident occurred. We take our obligation to protect the data security of personal information very seriously," Gap CEO Glenn Murphy, said in a statement. "What happened here is against everything we stand for as a company. We're reviewing the facts and circumstances that led to this incident closely, and will take appropriate steps to help prevent something like this from happening again," he further said.

Gap Inc. is now offering those affected a year of free credit monitoring services and fraud resolution assistance, along with a 24-hour help line at 1-866-237-4007, the company announced.

Gap, Incorporated was founded in 1969 as The Gap, with the first store in a theatre annex on Ocean Avenue near San Francisco State University. Its brands also include Old Navy, Banana Republic and Piperlime, among others.