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Wednesday April 27, 2011
The Better Business Bureau is now reporting that the first wave of "attack" emails are now targeting customers of one affected business, Chase Bank. It says many Chase Bank cusomters are receiving an email stating their account will be frozen if they don't reply with their account information.
Do not respond to these email messages
This is a "phishing" email from the scammers who stole the addresses, or others they sold the addresses to. The BBB expects many more of these attacks in the months ahead.
The list of stores impacted totals nearly 50 by now. All of them have had customer email lists accessed by hackers.
Among retailers impacted:
-Kroger
-Best Buy
-Walgreens
-Target
-Home Shopping Network
Travel companies affected include Marriott, Hilton Hotels, Disney Destinations and Red Roof inn. Banks include US Bank, Citi, Barclay's and JP Morgan/Chase.
Verizon Communications (landline customers only, not wireless customers) is also on the list of affected businesses.
Epsilon files hacked
They are all clients of the Texas-based marketing firm Epsilon, which was hit by hackers March 30.
If you receive an email about this security breach, there's no need for major concern.
The thieves have only your email address: They did not gain access to your Social Security number, credit card info, or home address. There is no need for any sort of security alert.
Watch for junk email
However, if your email address was compromised, you may receive spam or "phishing" messages asking for account numbers.
Do not respond to any message asking you to update account numbers, even if it appears to be from your bank or another company you do business with.
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