Fifteen Whole Foods Markets in Southern California were part of a nationwide data breach of the Amazon-owned grocery chain, which includes two stores in Pasadena.
The grocer first announced the data breach in late September. After conducting an investigation, it was discovered that several stores in 30 states, including California, were impacted by the hack of its credit-card payment systems in its in-house restaurants and taprooms. The breach stretched over seven months.
Two stores in the Pasadena areas were affected—one at 465 South Arroyo Parkway (taproom) and the other at 3751 E. Foothill Blvd. (taproom).
Additional stores included in the data breach are six Whole Foods markets in Orange County: Tustin, Huntington Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Brea and Newport Beach. Grocery shoppers and Amazon customers were not impacted by the hack, which occurred between March 10 and Sept. 28, 2017.
Whole Foods issued a statement saying, “The software copied payment card information—which could have included payment card account number, card expiration date, internal verification code, and cardholder name—of customers who used a payment card at these venues.” The company has since replaced its “point of sale systems for payment card transactions and stopped the unauthorized activity.”
“Not all cards used at all venues listed were affected,” said Whole Foods, but the company advises that if you believe you were affected by the hack, to monitor your credit card purchases carefully and report any unauthorized use to your banking institution.
Customers with additional questions can call 1-888-818-7100.
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