Stop & Shop Finds Card Fraud at Checkouts via Pin Pad Tampering

QUINCY, Mass. - Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. here said last Saturday that some of its customers' credit and debit card numbers were stolen due to tampering with EFT pin pads at two checkouts in two Rhode Island stores.

The chain said it had been notified "of possible fraudulent activity associated with credit and debit cards" used at the two stores, and that an ongoing investigation uncovered tampering in one checkout lane each at of the stores, in Coventry and Cranston, Rhode Island.

"As a result of this tampering, account and pin numbers associated with some credit and debit cards used in these two checkout lanes in early February were stolen," the chain said.

Stop & Shop said it immediately began working with local police and the U.S. Secret Service to determine the extent of the crime and to help apprehend the crooks responsible.

"We also have contacted our credit and debit processors and business partners in order to identify and protect affected customer accounts," Stop & Shop said.

The grocer also said it had performed an inventory and inspection of EFT units in all stores, and had "also have taken immediate steps to ensure our EFT units are physically secure to prevent further tampering."

The chain's probe also uncovered evidence of similar tampering in stores in Bristol, Providence, and Warwick, Rhode Island; and Seekonk, Massachusetts. "However, no fraudulent transactions relating to debit or credit cards used at these store locations have been reported," Stop & Shop said.

"Our investigation has not uncovered any involvement or suspected involvement of any Stop & Shop personnel in the tampering," the chain added.

The chain recommended that shoppers who used electronic payment cards in the affected stores "carefully monitor their bank or credit card statements relating to such cards, and that they contact the applicable bank or credit card issuer immediately in the event of any fraudulent transactions."