Razzle
03-10-2005, 03:23 AM
ALBANY, March 9
By CRAIG SMITH
Someone stole thousands of people’s credit card information from a shoe store chain with a location in the Capital Region. It's believed a computer hacker got into DSW Shoe Warehouse's database.
Anyone who bought anything with a credit card at DSW between mid-November and the end of February could be a victim of credit card fraud and possibly identity theft.
The company runs 175 stores including locations in Poughkeepsie, Middletown and in Guilderland at the Crossgates Mall.
The company says it found out Friday that someone somehow got into its computer database.
The company has spoken to news outlets and posted a message on its Web site, but has not directly notified its customers that the company lost control of their personal information.
According to the lawyer for DSW's parent company, Retail Ventures, it was a credit card company that noticed something suspicious. One federal agent was quoted saying it’s too early to say how it happened.
A DSW statement says, “We must all be vigilant and work together to prevent this crime. DSW is working with a leading security firm to analyze what happened.”
The company isn't saying whether the hacker stole only credit card numbers or also the personal data associated with each credit card.
DSW says if you bought anything at the store with a credit card between mid-November and the end of February, you should call the bank that issued your card to check on the security of your account information.
By CRAIG SMITH
Someone stole thousands of people’s credit card information from a shoe store chain with a location in the Capital Region. It's believed a computer hacker got into DSW Shoe Warehouse's database.
Anyone who bought anything with a credit card at DSW between mid-November and the end of February could be a victim of credit card fraud and possibly identity theft.
The company runs 175 stores including locations in Poughkeepsie, Middletown and in Guilderland at the Crossgates Mall.
The company says it found out Friday that someone somehow got into its computer database.
The company has spoken to news outlets and posted a message on its Web site, but has not directly notified its customers that the company lost control of their personal information.
According to the lawyer for DSW's parent company, Retail Ventures, it was a credit card company that noticed something suspicious. One federal agent was quoted saying it’s too early to say how it happened.
A DSW statement says, “We must all be vigilant and work together to prevent this crime. DSW is working with a leading security firm to analyze what happened.”
The company isn't saying whether the hacker stole only credit card numbers or also the personal data associated with each credit card.
DSW says if you bought anything at the store with a credit card between mid-November and the end of February, you should call the bank that issued your card to check on the security of your account information.