Costco Wholesale Says Card Skimmer Stole Customer Payment Cards
Costco Wholesale announced that a payment skimming device was found attached to one of its point-of-sale terminals. The card stealing device was found during a routine check and has been removed. It is possible that the criminals who planted the device were able to access it and steal sensitive information including payment card numbers.
“We recently discovered a payment card skimming device at a Costco warehouse you recently visited,” Costco informed customers in a data breach notification letter.
The incident was reported to the police.
Costco says that customers who used the compromised payment terminal have been notified in writing.
“Our member records indicate that you swiped your payment card to make a purchase at the affected terminal during the time the device may have been operating.”
Stolen information may include:
- Customer name
- Payment card number
- Card expiration date
- CVV security code
Costco has not disclosed when the incident occurred when it was discovered, or how many customers are impacted by the data breach.
Costco Wholesale operates 737 membership-only retail warehouses. Subsidiaries include Costco Wholesale Canada, Costco Travel, MORE. Costco is the world’s largest retailer of choice and prime beef, organic food, rotisserie chicken, and wine.
Kirkland Signature is Costco’s private label.
Costco is offering impacted customers identity protection services for 12 months.
All affected customers should monitor their payment card activity and obtain a credit report. Making fraudulent charges with stolen payment cards isn’t the only way criminals exploit stolen data.
Hackers may also use stolen personal information like email addresses, phone numbers, and names for future phishing attacks, tax return scams, and identity theft.
Be sure to protect your money with identity theft monitoring and by ordering a copy of your credit report regular basis.
