Starbucks denies mobile app intrusion

Seattle – Starbucks Corp. is denying reports that hackers illegally gained entry into accounts of some users of its mobile app. Multiple media reports have indicated hackers broke into hundreds of accounts of Starbucks app users, stole their stored value, and leveraged the reload function to obtain customer payment card data.



In a statement, Starbucks said news reports of a hack are false and that it occasionally receives reports of unauthorized activity caused by criminals re-using names and passwords stolen from other customer accounts.



“Like all major retailers, the company has safeguards in place to constantly monitor for fraudulent activity and works closely with financial institutions,” said the statement. “To protect the integrity of these security measures, Starbucks will not disclose specific details but can assure customers their security is incredibly important and all concerns related to customer security are taken seriously.”



Starbucks said customers should use different user names and passwords for different sites, especially those that keep financial information. Account balances on registered Starbucks cards are protected. Customers are not responsible for charges or transfers they did not make.