Credit Card Database Security Breach
5 million USA credit card accounts in security breach
18th February 2003
A hacker has gained access to 5 million Visa and Mastercard credit card accounts after breaking into a payment clearing company's database. All accounts affected were in the USA, and the two credit card companies involved say none of the information accessed was put to fraudulent use.
Security experts say that such hacking episodes are often done to demonstrate vulnerabilities in systems rather than for any financial gain, but the only way to ensure future security of the accessed accounts would be to reissue all 5 million cards involved.
Both Visa and Mastercard say they immediately informed the American issuing banks affected by the break-in, and are working with both the compromised card company to improve security, and US law enforcement officials.
Read More: BBC Report
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