A customer amenities company serving mostly zoos throughout the country has been hacked.
Though it did not name specific locations affected or indicate how many customers are potentially affected by the data breach, Service Systems Associates said the point-of-sale systems in its clients’ gift shops was the source.
“This means that if a guest used a credit or debit card in the gift shop at one of our partner facilities between March 23 and June 25, 2015, the information on that card may have been compromised,” SSA said in a statement from CEO Timothy L. Brantley.
Point-of-sale malware has been to blame for many payment card data breaches since retailer Target was hit in late 2013. Home Depot, Neiman Marcus, Michaels, Sally Beauty, White Lodging and others have dealt with similar attacks.
Denver-based SSA company said it immediately contacted law enforcement after it realized the cyber breach occurred and hire forensic investigator Sikich. SSA said the malware has been removed and it is “taking several steps to improve its security and prevent future attacks.”
SSA urged guests of its clients to check for fraudulent activity on payment cards and contact the issuer as soon as possible while pointing out that most card companies do not hold card holder liable for fraudulent charges if promptly reported.
Chad Hemenway is Managing Editor of Advisen News. He has more than 15 years of journalist experience at a variety of online, daily, and weekly publications. He has covered P&C insurance news since 2007, and he has experience writing about all P&C lines as well as regulation and litigation. Chad won a Jesse H. Neal Award for Best Single Article in 2014 for his coverage of the insurance implications of traumatic brain injuries and Best News Coverage in 2013 for coverage of Superstorm Sandy. Contact Chad at 212.897.4824 or [email protected].
