Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management

Wall Street Journal Reporting- Global Payments is Breached March 30, 2012

Updating my last story, the Wall Street Journal is now reporting that the “massive” data breach referenced earlier was Global Payments, Inc. USA Today is also reporting on the issue.  According to sources, Dominican street gangs may be involved.  Gartner’s Avivah Litan stated: “are seeing signs of this breach mushrooming. From what I hear, the breach involves a taxi and parking garage company in the New York City area, so if you’ve paid a NYC cab in the last few months with your credit or debit card – be sure to check your card statements for possible fraud.”

Visa Issued a statement: “Visa Inc. is aware of a potential data compromise incident at a third party entity affecting card account information from all major card brands. There has been no breach of Visa systems, including its core processing network VisaNet. Visa has provided payment card issuers with the affected account numbers so they can take steps to protect consumers through independent fraud monitoring and, if needed, reissuing cards. … Every business that handles payment card information is expected to protect the security and privacy of their customers’ financial information by adhering to the highest data protection standards. “

MasterCard is: “concerned whenever there is any possibility that cardholders could be inconvenienced and we continue to both monitor this event and take steps to safeguard account information. If cardholders have any concerns about their individual accounts, they should contact their issuing financial institution.”