Home Depot Data Breach: Update - Monitor your credit!

9-26/14, The Home Depot data breach's impact is widespread, and it is being reported that the personal information obtained is being used much faster than in previous data breaches. Consumers who shopped at the Home Depot stores should follow up on the offer of "Credit Monitoring" if you shopped at one of the locations. The "hackers" involved with stealing data are selling this information online an it's being reported that the duplicate cards are being used for "everyday items" not big-ticket items, and they are close to or in the same zip code area as reported by one of the FICO alerts services.  
 
When I'm asked what do I do to protect my credit cards when I travel?, " I use a gift card or a pre-loaded card for all purchases." During a trip to Philadelphia recently, I shopped at Home Depot, and I used the gift card for all purchased there and other locations. I don't have to worry about my credit card information being stolen. 
 
Below is the Home Depot website post and link to access their reports. If you are a victim, please continue to monitor their web page for updates. 
 
Rich Coleman, CPAM, Pittsfield Twp. DPS Crime Prevention Unit 
 

Home Depot's Website:

Customer update on payment breach

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On Sept. 8, we confirmed that our payment data systems were breached, which could potentially impact customers who used a payment card at our U.S. and Canadian stores in 2014, from April to September. Today, we are able to tell you that the malware used in the recent breach has been eliminated from our U.S. and Canadian networks.

 

We also want you to know that we have completed a major payment security project that provides enhanced encryption of payment card data at point of sale in our U.S. stores, offering significant new protection for customers. The rollout of enhanced encryption to Canadian stores will be completed by early 2015. Canadian stores are already enabled with EMV “Chip and PIN” technology.

 

We apologize for the frustration and inconvenience this breach may have caused. 
 
We also want to emphasize that you will not be liable for any fraudulent charges to your accounts, and we’re offering free identity protection services, including credit monitoring, to any customer who has shopped at a Home Depot store in 2014, from April on.

 

You can learn more about the identity protection services and how to sign up for them at https://homedepot.allclearid.com/.

 

It is important to closely monitor your payment card accounts and report unusual activity to your issuing bank.

 

Home Depot

Data Breach- Jimmy John's Bourment Sandwiches 9/24/14

9-25, Data Breach Report- Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich shop. Please see the press release below. There are 18 Michigan stores impacted by the breach. Click the "Affected Stores & Dates" below for details.  Please check your banking and credit card activity and report any charges you didn't make immediately to your bank or credit card company.  CPAM

DATA SECURITY INCIDENT

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jimmy John’s Notifies Customers of Payment Card Security Incident

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (September 24, 2014) – On July 30, 2014, Jimmy John’s learned of a possible security incident involving credit and debit card data at some of Jimmy John’s stores and franchised locations. Jimmy John’s immediately hired third party forensic experts to assist with its investigation. While the investigation is ongoing, it appears that customers’ credit and debit card data was compromised after an intruder stole log-in credentials from Jimmy John’s point-of-sale vendor and used these stolen credentials to remotely access the point-of-sale systems at some corporate and franchised locations between June 16, 2014 and September 5, 2014. The security compromise has been contained, and customers can use their credit and debit cards securely at Jimmy John’s stores.

Approximately 216 stores appear to have been affected by this event. Cards impacted by this event appear to be those swiped at the stores, and did not include those cards entered manually or online. The credit and debit card information at issue may include the card number and in some cases the cardholder’s name, verification code, and/or the card’s expiration date. Information entered online, such as customer address, e-mail, and password, remains secure. The locations and dates of exposure for each affected Jimmy John’s location are listed on AFFECTED STORES & DATES.

Jimmy John’s has taken steps to prevent this type of event from occurring in the future, including installing encrypted swipe machines, implementing system enhancements, and reviewing its policies and procedures for its third party vendors.

We apologize for any inconvenience this incident may have on our customers. Jimmy John’s values the privacy and security of its customers’ information, and is offering identity protection services to impacted customers, although Jimmy John’s does not collect its customers’ Social Security numbers. To take advantage of these services, please visit CONTACTS & INFORMATION. For more information, call (855) 398-6442. In addition, customers are encouraged to monitor their credit and debit card accounts, and notify their bank if they notice any suspicious activity. Additional recommendations for protecting your information can be found at RECOMMENDATIONS.

Jimmy John’s will post information related to its ongoing investigation on the Company’s website, www.jimmyjohns.com.

 

 

Federal Trade Commission: “Let’s talk about online safety for teens”

Federal Trade Commission: “Let’s talk about online safety for teens”

The new school year is in full swing and National Cyber Security Awareness Month is around the corner. What better time to talk to the kids in your life about online safety. Many of our readers are doing just that — and using Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online as the basis for the conversation. Click on the image below to get access to the book online. Copies are also available at the Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety.

 

Click on the link below to get access to the booklet and other materials "free".

 

OnGuard - Chatting with your kids about online Safety

Prescription Drug Take Back Event - Saturday Sept. 27, 2014 , find a location near you to participate!

Prescription Drug Take Back Event:  September 27, 2014, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

This event is being sponsored by the D.E.A., nationwide,  law enforcement agencies across the country are hosting events that residents can bring unused  or expired  “pills only” to be disposed of. 

 

Click on the link below to find a location in your area to drop off expired medications.

 

 

DEA Office of Diversion Control

 

  

CPAM 2014 Conference "Crime Prevention, Enhanced Leadership / Effective Communications"

Crime Prevention personnel from around the state and beyond are invited to the 2014 CPAM conference, it's not too late to register to come to this year's effort. Attached is a link to the conference brochure. It is being held at the beautiful Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City MI. Don't miss the networking and interactions that will be shared. 

CPAM Website- 2014 Conference Oct. 7-10, '14