Staples, Inc. gave an update on the investigation into its previously announced data security incident involving a small percentage of its retail point-of-sale systems. No stores in New Mexico were affected by the breach. In addition, only two stores in Texas, both outside of El Paso, were involved.
Staples’ data security experts detected that criminals deployed malware to some point-of-sale systems at 115 of its more than 1,400 U.S. retail stores. Upon detection, Staples immediately took action to eradicate the malware in mid-September and to further enhance its security. Staples also retained outside data security experts to investigate the incident and has worked closely with payment card companies and law enforcement on this matter.
Based on its investigation, Staples says it believes that malware may have allowed access to some transaction data at affected stores, including cardholder names, payment card numbers, expiration dates, and card verification codes. At 113 stores, the malware may have allowed access to this data for purchases made from August 10, 2014 through September 16, 2014. At two stores, the malware may have allowed access to data from purchases made from July 20, 2014 through September 16, 2014.
As a result, Staples is offering free identity protection services, including credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, and a free credit report, to customers who used a payment card at any of the affected stores during the relevant time periods. Additional information about the incident, including dates of potential access and how to sign up for free credit monitoring, can be found here.
During the investigation Staples also received reports of fraudulent payment card use related to four stores in Manhattan, New York at various times from April through September 2014. The investigation found no malware or suspicious activity related to the payment systems at those stores. However, out of an abundance of caution, Staples is offering free identity protection services, including credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, and a free credit report, to customers who used their payment cards at those stores during specific time periods. Overall, the company believes that approximately 1.16 million payment cards may have been affected. Specific stores and dates can be found here.
Typically, customers are not responsible for any fraudulent charges on their credit cards that are reported in a timely fashion. Staples customers who shopped at the affected stores during the relevant time periods should review their account statements and notify their card issuers of any suspicious activity.
Staples says it is committed to protecting customer data and regrets any inconvenience caused by this incident. Staples says it has taken steps to enhance the security of its point-of-sale systems, including the use of new encryption tools.
Information from Staples