Saks Fifth Avenue announced on March 8, 2023, that it had suffered a data breach that affected over 5 million customers. The breach impacted customers who made in-store purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue stores in North America between May and November 2022.
The hackers were able to steal customer payment card data, including credit and debit card numbers, expiration dates, and CVV codes. Saks Fifth Avenue has said that it does not believe that any other customer information, such as names, addresses, or Social Security numbers, was compromised.
Saks Fifth Avenue has offered free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to affected customers. The company has also said that it is working with law enforcement to investigate the breach.
What's Different About This Breach?
This data breach is different from previous Saks Fifth Avenue data breaches in a few ways. First, it is the first data breach to affect customers who made in-store purchases. Second, the hackers were able to steal more data than in previous breaches, including CVV codes. Third, the breach was not discovered until several months after it occurred.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you are a Saks Fifth Avenue customer, you should take the following steps to protect yourself:
Place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will make it more difficult for someone to open new accounts in your name.
Monitor your credit report for any unauthorized activity. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Change your passwords for any accounts that use the same password as your Saks Fifth Avenue account.
Be wary of any unsolicited emails or phone calls that ask for your personal information. These could be phishing attempts.
You should also be aware that the hackers may attempt to use your stolen credit card information to make fraudulent purchases. If you see any unauthorized charges on your credit card statement, you should report them to your credit card company immediately.
How Can You Protect Yourself in the Future?
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from future data breaches:
Use strong passwords and change them regularly: A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Be careful about what information you share online: Don't share your personal information, such as your Social Security number or your date of birth, with anyone you don't know and trust.
Be wary of phishing emails and phone calls: Phishing emails and phone calls are a common way for hackers to steal personal information. If you receive an email or phone call that asks for your personal information, don't respond. Instead, contact the company directly to verify the request.
Keep your software up to date: Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your computer from malware.
Use a security solution, such as a firewall or antivirus software: A security solution can help to protect your computer from malware and other threats.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from cyberattacks.
What's Next?
Saks Fifth Avenue is still investigating the data breach. The company has said that it will continue to work with law enforcement and that it will take steps to improve its security measures.
In the meantime, affected customers can take steps to protect themselves by placing a fraud alert on their credit report, monitoring their credit report for unauthorized activity, and changing their passwords.
This data breach is a reminder that even major retailers can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. It is important to be aware of the risks and to take steps to protect your personal information.
