Albertson's stores hacked for credit card data

[IDemo]

Source: CNN

Hackers have broken into the credit and debit card payment networks at two of the nation's most popular supermarket store chains: Albertson's and SuperValu.

The chains announced the data breach Friday morning. The massive hack impacts their umbrella of stores, as well.

That includes Albertson's Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's and Star Market supermarkets, as well as SuperValu's Cub Foods, Hornbacher's, Farm Fresh, Shop 'N Save and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy.

The extent of the damage isn't yet clear, and the grocery chains haven't yet said how many customers might be affected. SuperValu said it knows hackers broke into the computer network that processes card payments, but it's unsure whether they managed to take the data.

Read more: http://money.cnn.com/2014/08/15/technology/security/albertsons-supervalu-hack/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

[TwilightGardener]

1. Gah. Already had to replace my card because of Target. Dammit to hell.

[RKP5637]

2. I recently had my card info stolen at a gas station that apparently had a chip

located in the pump. The police are investigating ...

[TwilightGardener]

3. Yes, I've heard they are putting those dealies on gas pumps.

All I know is, never put your PIN into the pump. But I still use the credit card payment, because I hate going into the store.

[RKP5637]

4. It grabs the credit card too now. n/t

[TwilightGardener]

5. Well shit.

[RKP5637]

6. Yeah, that's what I said too. Some have been inside jobs during manufacturing. It

basically grabs the entire data stream of the transaction. It's all internal to the pump, there is no way we're going to know it, as I've heard, it's buried deep in the electronics. My bank said they are moving to the new technology, but even when they do, there are still a zillion readers out there using the old technology, so even with the new card it can be read if in an old reader.

[SoapBox]

7. I had the number taken 3 times, in 3 months.

And then Visa just seemed irritated...of all the nerve.

The common purchase spot was a Circle K gas station. I was paying at the pump and always checked the card reader to see if it looked fake but...there had to have been either a reader/scanner hidden or one big leak in their system. I've never gone back and pay more at other places.

[TwilightGardener]

8. That really sucks. I might just pre-pay inside in the future, seeing how prevalent

this problem seems to be.

[Journeyman]

9. So make it a law that any store that takes credit or debit cards must carry insurance. . .

sufficient to cover the expense of notifying all customers of any potential breach, as well as large enough to cover the expenses their customers will incur correcting this situation and replacing their compromised cards.

Do this, and the switch to the more secure, European-style "chip and pin" card system will be swiftly accomplished, no matter what the present complaints from store owners about their supposed "additional costs."

Right now, the only ass on the line is your's and mine, so the banks and stores have little to no interest in resolving this situation. So hit 'em in the same place we're getting whacked -- the pocketbook -- then stand aside to avoid being trampled as they move swiftly to protect their own asses (and we'll gain protection too, even though it be by default).