Sweetbay: credit and debit card numbers hacked

Shoppers should check their bank accounts carefully.

Bay Area (Bay News 9) -- Hackers have accessed credit and debit card numbers from Sweetbay grocery stores by breaking into the Hannaford computer network.

The hackers had access to 1.6 million card numbers from Sweetbay customers in Florida.

So far there've been fewer than 2,000 cases of attempted credit card fraud reported to the company.

A Sweetbay spokesperson said anyone who shopped there between December and March 8 should check their bank accounts carefully.

Sweetbay said no other personal information, such as names or addresses, were stolen.

"I would think a company this size would have more security as far as debit cards or credit card information goes," customer Scott Burgett said.

Sweetbay is working with police to find out who hacked the system.

The intrusion affected Hannaford stores in New England and New York State and Sweetbay stores in Florida.

The data was illegally accessed from Hannaford's computer systems during the card authorization transmission process, according to a press release.

• Customers talk about the intrusion

Hannaford is advising customers to take the following steps:

• Customers should carefully review their financial institution and credit card statements, and immediately contact their credit card company or issuing bank with any questions or concerns about individual charges.

• Customers with questions may call Hannaford's dedicated customer assistance line at 866-591-4580.

Contact Information

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