Merchant Network Solutions Compromised Exposing 573,928 Credit Cards

With yet another worrisome credit card security issue it seems that consumers have to be really picky these days to monitor their credit card statements against credit card fraud. The latest fraud compromised popular web hosting company Network Solutions.

According to the company’s findings their network had been compromised, leaving a potential half a million credit cards or more wide open for credit card fraud by thieves. Responsible for more than 350,000 websites worldwide, the merchant had its servers breached with unauthorised codes showing up.

Credit card fraud is alarmingly frequent these days.

More concerning is the fact that many companies who are at risk are worth millions themselves with huge accounts.

According to news sources the shoddy code had impacted some 4,300 merchant websites and it is highly likely that there was data transmission which wasn’t approved. This breach happened between March the 12th. and June the 8th. this year.

The company said in a statement that during the ordinary course of business it “identified unauthorized code on servers supporting some of our E-Commerce merchants websites. We promptly removed this code, and all of our E-Commerce servers are functioning properly. No servers supporting networksolutions.com were affected.”

The company also admitted that a specific analysis from a third party supplier uncovered potential data transmissions for approximately 4,343 of the more than 10,000 merchant websites to servers outside the company.

Data included information about credit cards, and affected around 573,928 card holders. Network Solutions also said: the exposure was varying by merchant, adding that it has “notified law enforcement and are working closely with them on the investigation.”

A company spokesperson said: “At this point, we have no reports or other reasons to believe that any credit card account information has been misused and, under established practice, credit card issuing companies generally will not hold our merchants’ customers liable for any fraudulent purchases made using their credit card account numbers that are reported in a timely way to the issuer.”

Credit card security through consistent checks of statements.

All account holders with Network Solutions are being encouraged to visit a website established by the company with further information at: www.careandprotect.com

Credit card holders are also encouraged to keep an eye on their statements for purchases not made. With increased news reports about a lack of credit card security these days, consumers should get into the habit of protecting themselves against credit card fraud by carefully checking their statements each month.

Source: iTWire

Are my credit card details safe?

If your credit card security is jeopardized by a scenario like this, you shouldn’t worry. As long as you contact your credit card provider ASAP, you will generally not be held liable for any unauthorized transactions. If you inform them that your credit card number is in a database which has been breached by scammers, your old card account will be erased and you will be sent a new credit card with different details.

Credit Card Offer Comparison

		Interest Rate (p.a.)	Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.)	Annual Fee	Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)
Bankwest Breeze MasterCard	A low interest rate on everyday purchases with a low balance transfer offer	0% for 4 months (reverts to 11.99% )	0% for 6 months	$59	21.99%
Citibank Clear Platinum Card	A low interest rate offer on balance transfers and purchases	0% for 6 months (reverts to 11.99% )	0% for 6 months	$49 annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)	21.74%
St.George Vertigo	An introductory offer on balance transfer and a low annual fee	13.24%	2.99% for 6 months	$0 annual fee for the first year ($55 thereafter)	21.49%
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card	Earn 1 velocity point per $1 spent, plus an introductory offer on balance transfers	20.99%	2.9% for 6 months	$129	20.99%
Westpac 55 Day Credit Card	No annul fee for the first year with a low rate on balance transfers and purchases	0% for 5 months (reverts to 19.59% )	0.99% for 9 months with 1% handling fee	$0 annual fee for the first year ($30 thereafter)	21.49%