Kmart Investigating Data Breach
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snyferok/iStock Editorial/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Kmart announced on Friday that its information technology team detected a breach in the company’s payment systems and immediately launched a full investigation into the extent to which customers’ information may have been compromised.
According to a press release, the breach is believed to have begun in early September. “Kmart store payment data systems were infected with a form of malware that was undetectable by current anti-virus systems,” the release reads. The malware was removed, but debit and credit card numbers are believed to have been compromised.
The company notes that it does not believe personal information, debit personal identification numbers (PINs), email addresses or social security numbers were compromised.
Kmart says it will work with law enforcement and that customers should reach out to their credit card companies to ensure that they are not held liable for any unauthorized charges. Kmart will also give its customers who shopped with a credit or debit card at any store from September through Oct. 9 free credit monitoring protection.
A company spokesperson was unable to provide an estimate as to the number of customers impacted by the breach.
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