bigslama912
Well-Known Member
The hackers are at it again! Time to start watching those credit card statements...
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Four major payment-processing companies and large U.S. banks that issue debit and credit cards were hit by a data-security breach after Global Payments Inc., a third-party service provider, identified unauthorized access into its payment-processing system, according to a report by Reuters Friday.
Reuters reported that MasterCard Inc., Visa Inc., American Express Co and Discover Financial Services were affected by the breach, though it was not immediately clear how many cardholders were victimized.
MasterCard (MA) said earlier Friday it is investigating whether cardholder account data has been improperly accessed.
The payments company said the possible breach involves an undisclosed transaction-processing company in the U.S. and that MasterCard's own systems have not been compromised "in any manner." MasterCard said it has alerted law enforcement authorities and notified card issuers that the security of customer accounts may have been compromised.
"The incident is currently the subject of an ongoing forensic review by an independent data-security organization," a MasterCard spokesman said in a statement. "MasterCard is concerned whenever there is any possibility that cardholders could be inconvenienced, and we continue to both monitor this event and take steps to safeguard account information. "If cardholders have any concerns about their individual accounts, they should contact their issuing financial institution."
A blog, Krebs on Security, reported today that MasterCard and Visa (V) late last week started warning banks that certain cards may have been breached. Citing financial industry sources, the blog said more than 10 million card numbers may have been exposed. The breach reportedly took place between Jan. 21, 2012, and Feb. 25, 2012, and involved data that could be used to counterfeit cards, according to Krebs on Security.
A Visa representative did not immediately return a call for comment. "Visa Inc. is aware of a potential data compromise incident at a third-party entity affecting card account information from all major card brands," the company said in a statement. "There has been no breach of Visa systems, including its core processing network VisaNet. Visa has provided payment card issuers with the affected account numbers so they can take steps to protect consumers through independent fraud monitoring and, if needed, reissuing cards."
Credit-card processor Global Payments (GPN) acknowledged Friday that there had been "unauthorized access" to its processing system. In early March 2012, the company determined card data may have been accessed," the company said in a statement. "It immediately engaged external experts in information technology forensics and contacted federal law enforcement. The company promptly notified appropriate industry parties to allow them to minimize potential cardholder impact. The company is continuing its investigation into this matter."
Earlier in the day, trading in the Global Payments' stock was halted after a report linked the company to the data breach. The stock fell 9.1 percent when trading was stopped. The company has scheduled a conference call on Monday, April 2, to discuss the matter.
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-57407049/card-processors-u.s-banks-hit-by-data-breach/
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Four major payment-processing companies and large U.S. banks that issue debit and credit cards were hit by a data-security breach after Global Payments Inc., a third-party service provider, identified unauthorized access into its payment-processing system, according to a report by Reuters Friday.
Reuters reported that MasterCard Inc., Visa Inc., American Express Co and Discover Financial Services were affected by the breach, though it was not immediately clear how many cardholders were victimized.
MasterCard (MA) said earlier Friday it is investigating whether cardholder account data has been improperly accessed.
The payments company said the possible breach involves an undisclosed transaction-processing company in the U.S. and that MasterCard's own systems have not been compromised "in any manner." MasterCard said it has alerted law enforcement authorities and notified card issuers that the security of customer accounts may have been compromised.
"The incident is currently the subject of an ongoing forensic review by an independent data-security organization," a MasterCard spokesman said in a statement. "MasterCard is concerned whenever there is any possibility that cardholders could be inconvenienced, and we continue to both monitor this event and take steps to safeguard account information. "If cardholders have any concerns about their individual accounts, they should contact their issuing financial institution."
A blog, Krebs on Security, reported today that MasterCard and Visa (V) late last week started warning banks that certain cards may have been breached. Citing financial industry sources, the blog said more than 10 million card numbers may have been exposed. The breach reportedly took place between Jan. 21, 2012, and Feb. 25, 2012, and involved data that could be used to counterfeit cards, according to Krebs on Security.
A Visa representative did not immediately return a call for comment. "Visa Inc. is aware of a potential data compromise incident at a third-party entity affecting card account information from all major card brands," the company said in a statement. "There has been no breach of Visa systems, including its core processing network VisaNet. Visa has provided payment card issuers with the affected account numbers so they can take steps to protect consumers through independent fraud monitoring and, if needed, reissuing cards."
Credit-card processor Global Payments (GPN) acknowledged Friday that there had been "unauthorized access" to its processing system. In early March 2012, the company determined card data may have been accessed," the company said in a statement. "It immediately engaged external experts in information technology forensics and contacted federal law enforcement. The company promptly notified appropriate industry parties to allow them to minimize potential cardholder impact. The company is continuing its investigation into this matter."
Earlier in the day, trading in the Global Payments' stock was halted after a report linked the company to the data breach. The stock fell 9.1 percent when trading was stopped. The company has scheduled a conference call on Monday, April 2, to discuss the matter.
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-57407049/card-processors-u.s-banks-hit-by-data-breach/
