Consumers Union: MasterCard Security Breach Underscores How Lax Data Security Puts Consumers at Risk of ID Theft
Contact: Susanna Montezemolo, 202-498-6746 (cell) or Michael McCauley,
415-431-6747, ext. 126, both for Consumers UnionWASHINGTON, June 17 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a statement by Susanna Montezemolo, policy analyst, Consumers Union's Financial Privacy Now Campaign:
"MasterCard International's announcement today that more than 40 million credit cards of all brands potentially have been exposed to fraud is a startling reminder of how vulnerable consumers are to having their sensitive information stolen by crooks. While MasterCard has indicated that Social Security numbers and birth dates were not accessed in the incident from the 13.9 million MasterCard-brand cards involved, there is no information yet available about the remaining
26.1 million other credit cards that were part of this massive data security breach. If such sensitive information was accessed from the other cards, then tens of millions of Americans may be at heightened risk of identity theft.""Regardless of what information was stolen, this incident should serve as a wake-up call for lawmakers to give consumers stronger tools to protect themselves, such as the right to put a security freeze on credit files to prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts in their names. And lawmakers must enact new safeguards to hold companies accountable for ensuring that strict data security practices are in place and followed."
For more information on the identity theft safeguards advocated by Consumers Union, see:
Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, is an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization serving only the consumer. We are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect consumers.