Over 60 Barnes & Noble locations victims of PIN pad tampering, customer data at risk

Book retailer Barnes & Noble this morning revealed that 63 of its stores have been victims of PIN pad tampering, following an internal investigation of "every PIN pad in every store" (just under 700 locations). B&N calls the tampering, "a sophisticated criminal effort to steal credit card information, debit card information, and debit card PIN numbers," and warns customers who may have swiped their cards at affected locations to alter debit card PINs as a precaution, as well as to keep an eye on credit card statements for false charges.

B&N specifically note that its company database hasn't been breached, and purchases made through the B&N website, its Nook e-reader, and the Nook mobile apps are unaffected. According to the company, the PIN pads were implanted with "bugs" that allowed the recording of credit card numbers and PINs. To be extra safe, B&N disconnected all of its PIN pads on September 14 and is only allowing credit card purchases directly through cash registers. For a full list of affected stores, head past the break.

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Over 60 Barnes & Noble locations victims of PIN pad tampering, customer data at risk originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.