Wendys Fastfood Chain Hacked Credit Card Fraud

8 Jul 2016 · 2 min

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2:23

The Fox 25 news segment reports a massive data breach affecting more than 1,025 Wendy's restaurants across North America, with 5 stores in Massachusetts and 15 in New Hampshire identified as compromised. The story centers on Amy, a Methuen resident whose debit card information was stolen twice after dining at a local Wendy's, leading to fraudulent charges at a Target and a Dunkin' Donuts, as well as unauthorized gift‑card purchases. Amy describes the emotional distress and loss of security, while Wendy's notes that the Pleasant Valley Street franchise is among the affected locations. Internet security expert Robert Siciliano explains how a single point‑of‑sale entry can allow malware to spread rapidly throughout a network, compromising thousands of terminals. The segment directs viewers to Fox25Boston.com for a list of affected stores and a hotline for victims, emphasizing the need for consumers to monitor statements and seek refunds.

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If you have eaten at a Wendy's this year, listen up because you may want to double-check your financial statements.
I do love the Chili's, I have to say. Today, the fast food giant announced that the credit card and debit information has been stolen from more than 1,000 Wendy's restaurants. Fox 25's Ted Daniel, that includes restaurants in our viewing area.
Yes, a number of them. Wendy's has identified 5 stores in Massachusetts and 15 in New Hampshire that have been hacked. Tonight, we spoke with a Methuen woman who's dealing with the fallout of having her debit card information stolen not once, But twice. I just sat in the parking lot and cried and said, "Not again." When Amy took her nieces to this Wendy's on Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen last March, she never imagined it'd be the beginning of a double stack of trouble. Amy paid for the food with her debit card. Weeks later, someone charged more than $800 at a Target in Swansea on her account.
I feel like I've been violated, to tell you the truth. Like, I sat in the parking lot and cried when I saw how much money they took out.
Amy reported the fraud and her bank issued her a new debit card. Unaware that Wendy's was investigating a data breach, Amy says she made 2 more trips to Wendy's in June. More fraudulent charges followed, this time at a Rhode Island Dunkin' Donuts.
17 times they purchased $49 gift cards.
This afternoon, Wendy's revealed the Pleasant Valley Street franchise is one of 2 in Methuen and 6 in Massachusetts targeted in a massive data breach impacting more than 1,000 stores across the country. Robert Siciliano is an internet security expert with Hotspot Shield.
Once hackers get inside access, they implant a virus or malware on the system, and like any virus, it spreads like a virus and goes throughout the network. Often it takes one point of entry and then hundreds or thousands of point-of-sales can be compromised in a short period of time.
Amy suspects she's a victim of the breach. Fortunately, her bank refunded her money. As for her sense of security, Amy worries that may never return.
I'm terrified. I don't want it to happen to me again.
According to Wendy's, sensitive account information has been stolen from 1,025 franchises in North America. If you'd like to see where those affected stores are, log on to our website, fox25boston.com. We have linked the list and a number to call if you're one of the victims. Live in our control room, Ted Daniel.