Is Staples the latest victim of a data breach? This year, several large retail establishments have become prey to data security issues. Among them were Target, Kmart and Home Depot. But now, the Framingham-based office supply company, Staples is investigating a possible data hack.
According to Forbes, Staples announced on Monday afternoon that the retailer is investigating a possible credit and debit card breach at some locations. Cyber-security writer Brian Krebs first reported the potential data breach at Staples.
Krebs stated several banks have observed fraudulent patterns suggesting that some Staples stores in the Northeast have been hit with data breach which included seven Pennsylvania stores, three in New York City and another in New Jersey. Even though Staples has stores around the United States territory, there is no evidence that the breach extends outside the Northeast as said by Krebs' bank sources.
As per NBC News, if Staples' data breach is confirmed, the company is the latest addition to the list of the US retailers who was targeted by cyber-hacking.
"Staples is in the process of investigating a potential issue involving credit card data and has contacted law enforcement," Staples Senior Public Relations Manager Mark Cautela said in a statement late Monday.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that Staples Spokesperson Mark Cautela said the retail company pledges that it will not hold customers liable for any fraudulent activity if the data breach is confirmed.
"We take the protection of customer information very seriously, and are working to resolve the situation," Cautela said. "If Staples discovers an issue, it is important to note that customers are not responsible for any fraudulent activity on their credit cards that is reported on a timely basis."
The rest of the world has already mostly applied chip payment cards, which contain a microchip and are inserted into a slot rather than swiped, but the United States has trailed behind while bearing the impact of world's credit card fraud.
On the other hand, the investigation at Staples follows a series of data breaches at other major retail companies. Banking empire J.P. Morgan Chase has recently confirmed a cyber-hacking on its systems. Meanwhile, Staples did not provide further information of the company's possible data hack.
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