Intercontinental Hotels Group(IHG) has confirmed a data breach from card payments used at their hotels in the United States. They are the parent company of hotel chains including Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites and Kimpton Hotels and Resorts.The data breach was found on December 28 when an undisclosed number of customers reported unauthorized, illegal, fraudulent charges on cards used previously at some US hotels owned by Intercontinental Hotels group.In a statement released last month, IHG said they were investigating a claim of possible breach, and a third-party cybersecurity company were hired to investigate itThe investigation disclosed that malware in the servers searched for specific type of information including cardholder's name, card number, verification code and expiry date. IHG said that the payment cards used between August and December in their bars and restaurant of their 12 hotels were affected. Cards used at the front desk of this hotels were not affected. The company spokesperson declined to comment on how many cards were affected, and the customers' data exposed are being notified. Cyber thieves have cracked into some of the largest hotel chains over the past few years. In majority incidents, malicious software was planted on the POS devices at restaurants and bars of the hotel chains. The malware installation was done via hacked remote administration tools. Once the attackers have their malware loaded onto the POS devices, they can remotely capture data from each card swiped at that machine. Need to know more on POS malware:https://securereading.com/415-2/ Even though customers are not accountable for fraudulent charges on their credit cards or debit cards, they have to report if any unauthorized transactions happen. Always keeps your eyes open on your card statements. Moreover, consider using credit cards instead of debit cards.
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