Local Chipotle restaurants hacked with credit-card stealing malware
It’s a popular restaurant across the Coachella Valley, but now Chipotle is cooking up something else.
The Mexican-food restaurant chain released information about a data breach, involving personal information stolen from credit and debit cards.
According to Chipotle’s website, the breach affected many locations across the country, including all three in the Valley.
“I just paid with cash,” Austin Berry said after eating at the Palm Desert location. “I went to an ATM after I heard about the report.”
Chipotle staff said during a more than a three-week period, malware was collecting payment information through magnetic stripes on credit and debit cards being used at different restaurant locations all across the country.
“You keep hearing about this,” Daniel Martinez said. “This isn’t the first, especially with that recent attack that affected so much of Britain and other countries. It doesn’t surprise me.”
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Berry said it’s a reminder to stay up to date with the latest on your financial information, protecting yourself from identity theft. He said many banks use free apps to help keep track of the information.
Regularly check your bank statements (and) regularly check for any suspicious transactions going on,” he said. “I actually have an app on my phone that tells me every time there’s a transaction going on.”
But customers said the restaurant has been quick to help out, releasing information about the incident.
“I heard about it through email,” Berry said. “They reached out to me. I didn’t have to investigate anything myself, and I was able to save myself from that.”
Chipotle staff released a statement regarding the data breach:
“During the investigation, we removed the malware, and we continue to work with cyber security firms to evaluate ways to enhance our security measures. In addition, we continue to support law enforcement’s investigation and are working with the payment card networks so that the banks that issue payment cards can be made aware and initiate heightened monitoring.”
Once again, you can check Chipotle’s website for a list of the affected restaurants
They’re also offering resources including credit companies for customers to check and see if they were affected.
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