Bank of NY Mellon data breach now affects 12.5 mln

NEW YORK, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Bank of New York Mellon Corp (BK.N) said on Thursday that a security breach involving the loss of personal information, including Social Security numbers, now affects about 12.5 million customers, up from an earlier 4.5 million.

Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell, who announced a probe of the security breach in May, said in a statement she is still pursuing remedies against the New York-based bank, including a possible "substantial" fine, restitution and other remedies.

Kevin Heine, a Bank of New York Mellon spokesman, said the number of affected individuals had risen by 8 million from the number reported earlier. Rell estimated the total number of customers that could be affected at 10 million.

State officials said previously that on Feb. 27, Bank of New York Mellon was transferring back-up tapes with data including names, addresses, birth dates and Social Security numbers, when it lost a box of six to 10 unencrypted tapes. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel; Editing by Andre Grenon)