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Dear Michaels Customer:
Michaels has just learned that it may have been a victim of PIN pad tampering in the Chicago area and that customer credit and debit card information may have been compromised.
In the event that this is a more widespread issue, we are taking the precautionary measure of alerting all of our customers so that they may protect themselves. We recommend immediately contacting your bank and/or credit card company to check for and report any unauthorized charges, as well as seek their advice on how to protect your account in the event that your information has been taken. Additional information is available on the Federal Trade Commission website at What To Do If Your Personal Information Has Been Compromised.
We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may have caused you, and we want you to know that we are working with law enforcement authorities in every way we can to help in the investigation. As always, we thank you for being a Michaels customer.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
John B. Menzer
CEO, Michaels Stores
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Just thought I'd pass it along...
If you live in the Chicago area and shop at Michaels, you should check your bank and credit accounts for possible fraudulent charges. Here is a link to a news article. I received the following email:
Dear Michaels Customer:
Michaels has just learned that it may have been a victim of PIN pad tampering in the Chicago area and that customer credit and debit card information may have been compromised.
In the event that this is a more widespread issue, we are taking the precautionary measure of alerting all of our customers so that they may protect themselves. We recommend immediately contacting your bank and/or credit card company to check for and report any unauthorized charges, as well as seek their advice on how to protect your account in the event that your information has been taken. Additional information is available on the Federal Trade Commission website at What To Do If Your Personal Information Has Been Compromised.
We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may have caused you, and we want you to know that we are working with law enforcement authorities in every way we can to help in the investigation. As always, we thank you for being a Michaels customer.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
John B. Menzer
CEO, Michaels Stores
Thanks, Betsy. We'll watch out for this. My hubby keeps a pretty close eye on our CC bills for any unauthorized charges. He's always asking me, "What's this?"
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Well, this could be bad. One article says the Michaels transactions were from "several" months ago, but that the fraudulent charges just started appearing. And the Glenview PD suspects it may have actually been a credit processing center that was compromised, so there may be more companies affected.
Thanks for the alert .
I got the email too.
I live in SE WI 20 + miles from the Illinois state line . The suspect credit processing company may also process transactions from our store
I always pay with cash. One more great reason to use cash .
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
I'm Canadian but got the same email. I haven't been to Mike's in ages but right now I'm glad I haven't been. I was a victim of PIN fraud about 18 months ago. It was not fun. I hope no one here ends up caught up in this. If they sent an email there's no "maybe" people have been pinched.
__________________ Margaret "All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single, lovely action." James Russell Lowell
Just another problem to add to the ever growing list of hacked sites. I got an email tonight and I'm in Ohio so this could be far more widespread then first reported
That is why I never use my card as a debit to have to put in a PIN - not that I use the card! It is unbelievable the amount of identity theft these days!!! And unfortunately it will only get worse,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I didn't get the email, but a friend did. I am thinking that it it affected those who used PIN"s it probably had to have been at that particular store where the card was swiped. Boy if the crooks would use those brains to work on world hunger or gas and oil prices instead of using them for crime, the world's problems would probably be solved!
I've never entered a PIN there but have used a credit card, and I got the message too. It did say "PIN pad tampering" ... so if you swiped your card or used the machine in any way, I guess they're saying you could be compromised.
I got the email, and am also from Alberta. I thought it must just have gone out to everyone subscribed to their email list. I only go to stores in Edmonton (mostly) and Calgary. If it's pinpad fraud, I think you would have had to have used the particular affected machines.
It's the front-page headline/story in the Chicago Tribune this morning. I have used my debit card/PIN at Michaels but not at any of the Chicago-area stores they specifically mentioned. I'm keeping an eye on it though.
I'm on their list (well, sometimes - it's major hit or miss if I get emails to either of my email accounts from Mike's) but I didn't get any email at all. But, I can't remember the last time I got any email from them. My son just got an email about the whole security issues with Playstation 3. Now the Michael's stuff (haven't received anything on this but I use my CC but not in the Chicago area mentioned in the reports). But then there are ones from the local hospital about an unattended now missing laptop that had patient info on it. The list goes on and on. Every time I turn around it seems like I'm getting an email or letter in the mail concerning security issues from one company or another. Kind of makes you want to be a hermit and live in a cave!
Be careful and don't click on any links in suspicious emails. If you want to go and check out the linked site, first hover over the link and check the web address that pops up in the lower left hand corner, then I recommend typing in the address yourself instead of using the link. I had an IRS email that looked legitimate and it was right after I filed my taxes, when I clicked the link the page looked like the right page, but it was a scam.
I am a Michael's customer who gets emails and shops there frequently and I didn't get the email you mentioned.
Be careful and don't click on any links in suspicious emails. If you want to go and check out the linked site, first hover over the link and check the web address that pops up in the lower left hand corner, then I recommend typing in the address yourself instead of using the link. I had an IRS email that looked legitimate and it was right after I filed my taxes, when I clicked the link the page looked like the right page, but it was a scam.
I am a Michael's customer who gets emails and shops there frequently and I didn't get the email you mentioned.
I didn't get it either and I shop there too. I agree with DixieRae, that I would think you would have had to have swiped the card at the affected store. I think I am carrying cash now....almost afraid to go out the door anymore!
I'm on their list (well, sometimes - it's major hit or miss if I get emails to either of my email accounts from Mike's) but I didn't get any email at all. But, I can't remember the last time I got any email from them. My son just got an email about the whole security issues with Playstation 3. Now the Michael's stuff (haven't received anything on this but I use my CC but not in the Chicago area mentioned in the reports). But then there are ones from the local hospital about an unattended now missing laptop that had patient info on it. The list goes on and on. Every time I turn around it seems like I'm getting an email or letter in the mail concerning security issues from one company or another. Kind of makes you want to be a hermit and live in a cave!
lol, this made me laugh. picturing you (any of us) in a cave surrounded by all your rubberstamps. stamping and humming away, as happy as a lark. then you hear the ups man drive up and you go meet him at the entrance. lol.......
I guess you could change your PIN number to be safe. If they haven't used it yet, they won't be able to get into your account if the number has been changed by the time they try to use it??
I guess you could change your PIN number to be safe. If they haven't used it yet, they won't be able to get into your account if the number has been changed by the time they try to use it??
Changing your pin is a good idea, however, it won't totally fix the problem if you have a card that can also be run as a credit card. So you should still keep a close eye on your account.
I'm in CA and I got it too...How they come up with the list I have no idea...I always use my debit card to save paper and more trash...I hope they can come up with something to put a halt to this?
__________________ Karen
...My life is like a stroll on the beach...As near to the edge as I can go...Thoreau...
I got this email, too. But I'm thinking it might be a scam. If you hover over any of the links given (don't click on them) none of them go directly to Michael's. So be careful, y'all.
I ordered something online a couple of months ago and two days later my credit card was charged with an unauthorized charge. I called my bank and they took it off immediately. So I don't order from that place anymore and haven't had any strange charges since.
I received the email also and I am nowhere near Illinois. We do check our accounts pretty frequently since both of our CC have been hacked in the past. We weren't ultimately out any money but it was really inconvenient. I also got the earlier emails from Walgreens, etc. :(
__________________ Denise
"If a person who indulges in gluttony is a glutton, and a person who commits a felony is a felon, then God is an iron.�
― Spider Robinson
Yes, this really is getting out of hand. I had someone hack into my iTunes account and buy 4 gift cards through PayPal. Luckily, PayPal cleared everything up, and the money was returned to my account, but it was a terrible experience. I felt violated and angry. I will be checking my bank statements carefully, since I was in Michael's 2 days ago. I'm not in the Chicago area, but I want to play it safe.
Spoke to the manager at the local Michael's today. He said the problem was ONLY in the Chicago area and they now know what happened. If we shop anywhere else, our credit/debit info is safe. He said if anyone has any questions, we can call their 800 number (1-800-642-4235).
Funny, but I just got the original email! I really thought it had to be in the Chicago area if they were tampering with the PIN Pads...I started using cash more often now, though.
I was in M's tonight and they have removed the pin pads completely. The lady in front of me used a card and the cashier scanned it at the register. Makes you go hmmmmm
Kathy T
Michael's Security Alert **Merged**
Chicago Area Michaels PIN pad tampering
