The Springfield and Branson locations of Michaels Stores Inc. were among stores affected by a sizable data security breach that hit the arts and crafts retail chain starting last year.
The Irving, Texas-based company, which in January announced to the public it had been breached, yesterday detailed the extent of the damage: roughly 2.6 million credit and debit cards might have been impacted by malware.
In an
open letter, Michaels CEO Chuck Rubin encouraged customers who may have been affected to take steps to monitor their payment card activity. The company also released the stores affected by the breach, as well as those of its subsidiary, Aaron Brothers, which also was attacked.
The Springfield store, 1840 E. Independence St., and Branson location, 1025 Branson Hills Parkway, as well as a store in Joplin, were among 21 hit in Missouri.
In Springfield, the dates when card information may have been stolen were May 8-Aug. 10, Aug. 30-Oct. 7, Oct. 17-Nov. 24 and Dec. 11-Jan. 18. The Branson dates in question are May 8-Aug. 10, Aug. 12-Oct. 7 and Oct. 17-Jan. 18, according to the
list released by Michaels.
Fifty-four Aaron Brothers stores were hit, but the company doesn't operate in Missouri.
"We are truly sorry and deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause. Our customers are always our No. 1 priority, and we are committed to retaining your trust and loyalty," Rubin wrote in the letter. "In an era where very sophisticated and determined criminals have proven capable of successfully attacking a wide range of computer networks, we must all increase our level of vigilance."
The company is
offering identity protection, credit monitoring and fraud assistance services to affected customers at no cost for the next 12 months.[[In-content Ad]]
