Up to 300 companies may have been compromised after accountancy software giant Sage was hit by an internal data breach.
The FTSE 100 firm, which provides accounting, payroll and payments software to businesses, has launched an investigation after discovering that an internal login had been used to gain "unauthorised access to customer information".
It is understood that the data breach may have affected between 200 and 300 customers.
The Newcastle-based firm said it was contacting customers and speaking to the police and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) about the incident.
A spokesperson said: "We are investigating unauthorised access to customer information using an internal login.
"We cannot comment further whilst we work with the authorities to investigate - our customers remain our first priority and we are speaking directly with those affected."
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