photo credit: FreeImages.com/Lotus Head
Malware is the likely cause of over 500 people being affected by a credit card breach, according to Monroe County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Corporal John Helfer last week when contacted for an update on the issue.
“At last count, we had 500 plus people contact us,” Helfer stated. “We have closed out the possibility of any local connection or it being perpetrated by an employee, but believe it was due to malware placed in software on computers at Flaherty’s that looks like it emanated from a foreign country. Flaherty’s is not at fault here; in a way, they are just as much of a victim.”
The credit card breach occurred last month when several residents reported that financial institutions had alerted them to unusual activity.
Helfer said local businesses are as likely to be a target of these criminals as are major retailers such as Home Depot, Target and national fast food chains.
He encourages residents to be diligent about checking their credit card statements, debit card statements and credit reports to see if any suspicious activity has occurred. If you do see something that doesn’t look right, immediately contact your bank or financial institution and the local law enforcement authorities.
