Data Breach Alert: Millions at risk for identity theft due to supermarket chain data breach

Posted by Joe on March 17th, 2008

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Hannaford Bros supermarkets, a chain that operates hundreds of stores in the Northeastern United States and Florida, announced today that 4.2 million credit and debit card numbers may have been potentially been exposed to identity thieves as a result of a massive data breach.  1,800 cases of identity theft related fraud have already been reported as a result of this data breach, according to the company.

While immediate details were not available, the company says that credit and debit card numbers were stolen during the credit authorization process.  Hannaford President and CEO Ronald Hodge said that the company has beefed up network security measures since the potential threat of criminal activity was identified in late February.

This massive data breach impacts all 165 Hannaford stores in the Northeast,  106 Sweetbay stores in Florida and several independent grocers that sell Hannaford products.

Given the magnitude of this breach, we strongly suggest that any consumers that believe that may have been impacted should immediately review all credit and debit card transactions for accuracy and consider using an identity theft protection service.

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