51,000 Wards Credit Card Records Exposed

This data loss was the result of specific attacks against their online network. The criminals proceeded to sell the credit card numbers online. Information included the card numbers, their three-digit “security codes”, expiration dates, as well as the cardholders’ names, addresses and phone numbers.

At least 51,000 records were exposed in the breach at the parent company of Montgomery Ward. The venerable Wards chain that began in 1872 went out of business in 2001, but in 2004 a catalog company, Direct Marketing Services Inc., bought the brand name out of bankruptcy. It now runs a Wards.com Web site along with six other sites, including three with Sears brands it has acquired: SearsHomeCenter.com, SearsShowplace.com and SearsRoomforKids.com.

Definitely read the whole article. The company tries to shift blame because the guidelines from Visa on how to respond to a security breach didn’t mention that the company should also inform the affected consumers.

It just illustrates the point that these type of events probably happen more frequently than most of us suspect and are often covered up to prevent a public relations crisis.

Related Links:

• Wards didn’t tell consumers about credit card hack
• More articles about careless organizations that allow data to be stolen…