Second Pin Pad Identity Theft Hits Save Mart-owned Albertsons Stores
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Local and federal law enforcement agencies are investigating more than 25 reports of identity theft at an Alameda Albertson's this week, the second of such incidents to hit the chain's California operations this month.
Earlier this month, more than 100 people reported having their debit or credit card information stolen from an Albertson's store in San Lorenzo. According to published reports, investigators said somebody swapped out at least one of the San Lorenzo Albertsons store's credit card scanners with a device designed to record card information. Police here began getting similar reports last week from shoppers at the Island's Marina Village Albertson's.
Customers' card information was subsequently transferred to a suspected ring of identity thieves in Southern California.
Both investigations are now being led by the U.S. Secret Service. In the meantime, Save Mart, the company that owns the Albertson's stores in question, is taking steps to prevent further fraud.
Earlier this month, more than 100 people reported having their debit or credit card information stolen from an Albertson's store in San Lorenzo. According to published reports, investigators said somebody swapped out at least one of the San Lorenzo Albertsons store's credit card scanners with a device designed to record card information. Police here began getting similar reports last week from shoppers at the Island's Marina Village Albertson's.
Customers' card information was subsequently transferred to a suspected ring of identity thieves in Southern California.
Both investigations are now being led by the U.S. Secret Service. In the meantime, Save Mart, the company that owns the Albertson's stores in question, is taking steps to prevent further fraud.