Genesco reports payment card criminal intrusion

Nashville, Tenn. -- Genesco reported on Friday a criminal intrusion into the portion of its computer network that processes payment card transactions for its U.S. Journeys stores, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys and Johnston & Murphy stores, and for some of its Underground Station stores.



The retailer announced that it took immediate steps to secure the affected part of its network and said it believes the intrusion has been contained.



"Since we learned of the intrusion, we have worked diligently with outside experts to protect our customers' information and we are confident that they are safe shopping with their credit and debit cards at our stores,” said Robert J. Dennis, Genesco chairman, president and CEO.



While the extent of the intrusion is not yet known, the company is investigating with the help of an outside expert to determine how much customer information was compromised. According to Genesco, it is possible that the credit or debit card number, expiration date and card verification code of some payment cards used at stores in the affected chains may have been acquired without authorization during the intrusion.



The company did say, however, that it does not believe that personal information, such as names, addresses or Social Security numbers, was compromised. It also said that it does not believe that its e-commerce or catalog businesses, Lids Sports businesses or Canadian stores were affected by the intrusion.



Genesco said it is cooperating with law enforcement to identify the hackers.