Grocery supplier warns of regional data breach
SANDPOINT — A regional food distributor that supplies Bonner County grocery stores is warning customers that its payment processing system is under attack by a cyber criminal.
URM Stores Inc. CEO Ray Sprinkle posted an open letter to the company’s website advising customers to consider paying with a cash or check until it implements enhanced security measures block further additional unauthorized access to its system. Sprinkle added that some stores are also able to process credit cards using a dial-up connection that was unaffected by the attack.
“This process takes a few more minutes at the checkout stand and we ask for your patience,” Sprinkle said in the letter.
URM supplies Super 1 Foods in Sandpoint, Yoke’s Fresh Market in Ponderay, Mitchell’s Harvest Foods in Priest River and Akins Harvest Foods in Bonners Ferry.
Sandpoint and Ponderay police said earlier this month they received a rash of credit card fraud complaints. Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon and Ponderay Police Chief Mike Hutter were unresponsive to media inquiries on Tuesday, however.
Sprinkle said it’s believed the attack is targeting data found on the magnetic stripe on the back of credit and debit cards, which can be used to manufacture counterfeit cards. Consumers who believe their card has been compromised are urged to immediately contact the issuing bank that issued the card.
Major credit card companies have “zero liability” policies that guarantee cardholders will not be responsible for fraudulent charges, according to URM.
The company said it has engaged a leading computer security firm to examine the processing system.
In response to the attack, URM established a dedicated call center for customers who have questions or seek further information about protecting themselves. The call center can be reached at (877) 237-7408. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Additional information is also available online (www.urmstores.com).