Staples investigating possible data breach

Framingham, Mass. --Staples Inc. is investigating a possible breach of payment card data. According to security blogger Brian Krebs, sources at several East Coast-based banks say it is likely that criminals gained access to customer card data at a group of Northeastern Staples stores including seven stores in Pennsylvania, at least three in New York City, and one in New Jersey.



“Staples is in the process of investigating a potential issue involving credit card data and has contacted law enforcement," company spokesman Mark Cautela said in a statement. “We take the protection of customer information very seriously, and are working to resolve the situation."



According to Krebs, the banks are tracking fraudulent charges from cards held by Staples customers at other businesses, which indicates thieves may have used malware to steal card data and copy it onto phony duplicate cards.



“If Staples discovers an issue, it is important to note that customers are not responsible for any fraudulent activity on their credit cards that is reported on a timely basis," Cautela said.