Security News > 2007 > July > Restaurants likely target of hackers, local sheriff says

http://www.neoshodailynews.com/articles/2007/07/25/news/03identity.txt By John Ford Daily News Managing Editor July 25, 2007 You may have gotten this in your in-box, a missive not to use your credit or debit cards at two area restaurants for fear that someone will use the financial information on the magnetic strip to clean out your bank account. It's good advice, according to Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland. Copeland said his office has been investigating reports of cleaned out accounts after bank cards were used at Nansy's and El Charro's, Neosho Mexican restaurants. But it isn't the employees who are gaining access to credit card information, he said: It's hackers. Our investigators say they don't suspect anybody there at the restaurants, but they do suspect their credit card system has been hacked by somebody else, Copeland said. It's not probably that actual system there, it's the system where the motherboard is. Det. Randy Scott, the sheriff's department in-house computer expert, and other investigators are working on the case, Copeland said. Some other advice to prevent identity theft, from the Missouri Attorney General's Office and area bankers: * Do not give your credit or debit card to the waiter or waitress. Instead, take it to the cash register yourself; * Don't give out your Social Security or account numbers unless you initiate the contact; * Leave your Social Security off of checks and driver's license; * Shred trash with sensitive information, including convenience checks and credit card offers you get in the mail; * Send sensitive material using a post office drop box, instead of your mailbox at home; * Carry only the credit cards and documents you need on a daily basis. Do not carry your Social Security card; * Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers and get fewer solicitations at home: www.optoutprescreen.com or 888-567-8688; * Use virus protection, a firewall and spyware detection on your computer. The Missouri attorney general's office also advises people watch their monthly credit card and bank statements for unauthorized charges and withdrawals. _____________________________________________________ Attend Black Hat USA, July 28-August 2 in Las Vegas, the world's premier technical event for ICT security experts. Featuring 30 hands-on training courses and 90 Briefings presentations with lots of new content and new tools. Network with 4,000 delegates from 70 nations. Visit product displays by 30 top sponsors in a relaxed setting. Rates increase on June 1 so register today. http://www.blackhat.com

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http://www.neoshodailynews.com/articles/2007/07/25/news/03identity.txt