We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
BRITISH RETAILER DIXONS Carphone has not yet determined whether any Irish customers have been affected by a major cyber attack that attempted to compromise 5.9 million customer payment cards.
In Ireland, Dixons Carphone operates Currys PC World and the Carphone Warehouse.
Dixons Carphone announced today that an investigation indicates that there was an attempt to compromise 5.9 million cards in one of the processing systems of Currys PC World and Dixons Travel stores.
However, it said that while 5.8 million of the cards had chip and pin protection, about 105,000 non-EU issued payment cards without such safeguards had been compromised.
“As part of a review of our systems and data, we have determined that there has been unauthorised access to certain data held by the company,” the group Dixons Carphone said in a statement.
“We promptly launched an investigation, engaged leading cyber security experts and added extra security measures to our systems. We have taken action to close off this access and have no evidence it is continuing.”
In a statement to TheJournal.ie, a spokesperson for Dixons Carphone in the UK said: “In terms of the potential Irish customers being affected, the investigation is ongoing and we hope to update you ASAP when we have an update.”
In its general statement, the company said that there was no evidence of “any fraudulent use of the data”, adding that it had informed the police and relevant UK watchdogs.
“Separately, our investigation has also found that 1.2 million records containing non-financial personal data, such as name, address or email address, have been accessed.
“We have no evidence that this information has left our systems or has resulted in any fraud at this stage,” the statement said.
Apologising for the situation, Dixons Carphone chief executive Alex Baldock, said the group had shut down the unauthorised access.
“Cybercrime is a continual battle for business today and we are determined to tackle this fast-changing challenge,” he added.
© – AFP 2018 with reporting by Hayley Halpin
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Credit card number fraudulently used in America twice this week before credit card company shut it down. McCabe’s pharmacy had a breach this week as well. Companies that have your details are not doing enough to protect it.
@Grumpyoldtroll:
Fraudsters get better by the day, it takes a lot to keep up with them. Every computer connected to broadband/WiFi/ the net is assessable by hackers. All they need is time. They are very effective at finding ways in, and they are skilled so can do it under stealth.
@Grumpyoldtroll: was just gonna post about that. No report on it….. Strange one.
What valid purpose does dixons have to retain credit card numbers? Their financing is a third party company, and all mobile subscriptions are with operators. They should be investigated to see if peoples credit cards are stored illegally, especially after GDRP.
@Gulliver Foyle: Possibly to do with their mobile network? (ID mobile) for bill-pay customers. I doubt they have 6M customers though.
It is quite rare to see a company need to store card info themselves anymore, the payment processor space has got so competitive (good and cheap) that even the biggest of companies tend to use a processor now rather than dealing with authorising their own card charges.
@Gulliver Foyle: I’d imagine because their customers chose to store their credit details. They sell stuff online you know. Have you never shopped online?
People need to suck it up. We elect the governments who fail to put the proper regulatory regimes in place. I’m inclined to the view that the only difference between a lot of businesses and criminals is a licence.
‘
have your say