Concerns over ID theft mount LexisNexis breach widens; GM credit > accounts at risk
> By Bruce Mohl, Globe Staff | April 13, 2005
> Identity theft concerns mounted yesterday as LexisNexis said a
> security breach at one of its subsidiaries may have been 10 times more
> severe than an earlier estimate, and GM MasterCard rushed to replace
> the credit cards of customers affected by a breach at an unidentified
> national retailer.
> GM MasterCard sent letters to customers late last week telling them
> that "a national retailer's computer system has had a security breach
> and your credit card account number may be among those that were
> compromised." A copy of the letter was provided to the Globe by one
> local GM MasterCard customer.
> Officials at General Motors had no immediate comment and referred
> questions to Household Bank, which issues the GM card. Household Bank
> could not be reached for comment.
> The GM MasterCard letter said the company had not been informed of the
> merchant involved and probably would not be informed. "Due to the
> serious nature of this situation," the letter said, GM MasterCard was
> advising customers to have their credit cards replaced as soon as > possible.
I have a GM MasterCard and I have received no such letter. Nor have I received any e-mail them on the subject, although they have my e-mail address and sent me a notice a couple of days ago that my monthly bill was avilable for viewing on their web site.
The web site has no warnings or advices on the subject. No unusual transactions appear on my account.
As to Household Bank, notices in the last month or so have noted that the GM MasterCard is now issued by HSBC (formerly Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation). While the notice is not explicit, it appears HSBC has purchased some or all of Household Bank or its operations.
Wes Leatherock snipped-for-privacy@aol.com snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com