Text of MasterCard Statement
June 17, 2005 4:44 p.m.
Full text of MasterCard's press release announcing a security breach exposing more than 40 million cards to fraud
PURCHASE, N.Y. -- MasterCard International reported today that it is notifying its member financial institutions of a breach of payment card data, which potentially exposed more than 40 million cards of all brands to fraud, of which approximately 13.9 million are MasterCard-branded cards.
MasterCard International's team of security experts identified that the breach occurred at Tucson-based CardSystems Solutions, Inc., a third-party processor of payment card data. Third party processors process transactions on behalf of financial institutions and merchants.
Through the use of MasterCard fraud-fighting tools that proactively monitor for fraud, MasterCard was able to identify the processor that was breached. Working with all parties, including issuing banks, acquiring banks, the processor and law enforcement, MasterCard immediately launched an investigation into the breach, and worked with CardSystems to remediate the security vulnerabilities in the processor's systems. These vulnerabilities allowed an unauthorized individual to infiltrate their network and access the cardholder data.
CardSystems has already taken steps to improve the security of its system. However, MasterCard is giving it a limited amount of time to demonstrate compliance with MasterCard security requirements.
Importantly, in keeping with its standards that focus on consumer protection and the safeguarding of sensitive information, MasterCard immediately notified its customer banks of specific card accounts that may have been subject to compromise so they can take the appropriate measures to protect their cardholders.
In the event of a cardholder data breach, MasterCard always takes this precaution regardless of whether there is any indication that fraud has resulted and whether or not there has been a final determination that a security breach has or has not occurred. Upon receiving notice from MasterCard, banks are able to take the appropriate steps to protect their cardholders from potential fraud. No highly sensitive information, such as social security numbers or dates of birth or the like, are stored on MasterCard cards.
Consumers have strong protection if unauthorized charges are made on their MasterCard cards. In the U.S., MasterCard cardholders are protected by MasterCard's Zero Liability policy for unauthorized transactions on their accounts. If MasterCard cardholders have any reason to believe that their cards were used fraudulently, they should contact their issuing bank.
Protecting cardholders, preventing fraud, and safeguarding financial information is a top priority at MasterCard. The company maintains a global team of experts devoted to maintaining the integrity and security of its payment systems and who work closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to help in the apprehension of fraudsters and other criminals.
Federal Regulation of Data
While Congress continues to consider data breach notification standards, MasterCard urges them to enact wider application of Gramm-Leach-Bliley, the act that includes provisions to protect consumers' personal financial information held by financial institutions. Currently, GLBA only applies to financial institutions providing services to consumers, including MasterCard. MasterCard urges Congress to extend that application to also include any entity, such as third party processors, that stores consumer financial information, regardless of whether or not they interact directly with consumers.
Source: BusinessWire
I figured as much. That's no virus, and HAL may need to revise his keywords. Again. ;)
"Through the use of MasterCard fraud-fighting tools that proactively monitor for fraud, MasterCard was able to identify the processor that was breached."
Proactive? They don't even know the meaning of the buzzwords they're spewing.
Yes, and once medical records are digitized, they will be stolen as well. I've been reading too often this 'oops we lost 40 million cardholders information' headline. It's time to head to the cabin in the woods to seperate ourselves from all this 'convenience'.
I am becoming more and more convinced that Mastercard is owned and operated by the Mafia.
These "OOPS!" incidents are occurring with more frequency.
MasterCard cannot just hold up their hands and point at their service provider -- third party service providers must be vetted also under GLBA, and if one has not been, then MasterCard is at fault.