Business & Tech

Michaels, Latest Retailer to Warn of Possible Customer Data Breach

Federal law enforcement, security experts working on the situation.

By Steve Burns and Liz Taurasi

Arts and crafts retailer Michaels is the latest retailer to warn customers of a possible data breach.

This weekend the popular retailer, with stores throughout Massachusetts, announced some customer payment information may have been compromised. The Texas-based company said it is working with federal law enforcement and third-party security experts on the situation.

Michaels CEO Chuck Rubin took to the company’s website this weekend telling customers they learned of the possible fraudulent activity on some payment cards used in the stores, “suggesting we may have experienced a data security attack.”

"We recommend that you remain vigilant by reviewing your account statements for unauthorized charges,” Rubin’s letter stated. “If you believe your payment card may have been affected, you should immediately contact your bank or card issuer. If we find as part of our investigation that any of our customers were affected, we will offer identity protection and credit monitoring services to them at no cost."

This comes on the heels of Target’s customer data breach, which impacted 70 million customers. Neiman Marcus also had recent reports of a data breach involving customer payment information.

Do you shop at Michael's? Have you been affected by this situation? Tell us in the comments section below.


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