Channel Register

Original URL: http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2006/05/02/mastercard_security_probe/

UK retail security flap exposes 2,000 credit cards

By John Leyden
Published Tuesday 2nd May 2006 13:14 GMT

An estimated 2,000 credit card details have been exposed by a security breach at a UK retailer. Affected users learned of the breach via an alert from MasterCard. They were informed that their card provider or bank was suspending potentially compromised accounts and issuing new accounts and cards to holders.

The Scotsman reports (http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=645402006) that the credit card holders are customers of Clydesdale Bank. However, it's unclear what other banks are involved or whether non-MasterCard debit or credit cards might also have been exposed. The cause of the breach and whether cardholders from outside the UK will have to change accounts also remains something of a mystery.

MasterCard said its own systems remain secure and that it was not involved in the breach. Nonetheless, MasterCard has begun an investigation.

"MasterCard is aware of a potential security breach at a UK-based retailer. But because this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot disclose specific details regarding the incident or comment, other than to say that we are cooperating and we have notified the banks that issue MasterCard cards to monitor for any suspicious account activity and take the necessary steps to protect cardholders," MasterCard said in a statement.

"MasterCard International is concerned whenever cardholders are inconvenienced and we will continue to monitor this event. As usual, if a MasterCard card holder is concerned about their individual account, they should contact their issuing financial institution." ®

© Copyright 2008