Primark faces security incident with credit card skimmers

Ireland-based retail group Primark US Corp. recently has found issues within their stores concerning a credit card scheme. The company has found that payment card skimmers have been illegally placed on various card payment machines in a couple of Primark locations.

Primark has found that their stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut have all been affected. The locations that the credit card skimmers were found in include the King of Prussia Mall, Freehold Raceway Mall, Danbury Fair Mall, and Willow Grove Mall. These skimmers are placed over payment card readers and are then used by persons to steal credit card data. Once these payment cards are swiped, the skimmer will be able to capture customers’ credit card information.

Primark finds credit card information comprised at various stores

Once the devices were found, they were immediately removed on the same day. The store management also contacted law enforcement after discovering the skimmers. Currently, Primark is working with the local and federal law enforcement for a full scale investigation.

These skimmers have affected various credit and debit card transactions from earlier this year starting on July 29, 2016. Although not every transaction from that date has been affected, there are some card information that may have been compromised up until this point. For customers, Primark recommends that their customers stay aware and vigilant in reviewing their statements, in order to spot any unusual or suspicious activity.

Currently, the company has released a statement apologizing about the situation. “The security of our customers remains a priority for Primark, and the company sincerely regrets that this incident occurred,” the company commented in a statement.

Primark operates 318 stores in eleven countries including the U.K. and the U.S. The brand’s first U.S. store opened last year, although since then the retailer has expanded. So far, only these specific locations have been found with the skimmers, although through the investigation it seems the company will continue to keep an eye out for these devices.

Photos: Primark