March 29, 2010
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News: Wet Seal Says All Is OK
Now that the infamous computer hacker, Albert Gonzalez will remain behind bars for the next forty years, we are sure to learn more details about his illegal activities pertaining to his debit and credit card theft. We can expect to see a number of retailers surface claiming that they too were victims of credit card theft. One of the first to do so is Wet Seal Inc. Wet Seal is a leading specialty retailer of contemporary and fashionable apparel and accessory items for women. The company is headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California and released a statement saying they too had been targeted by the credit card thief and computer hacking incident which took place in 2008.
Back in December, relating to another incident, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to 19 counts of conspiracy, computer fraud, wire fraud, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft related to the incident in a U.S. District Court in Boston. The incident is considered to be the largest debit and credit card breach in history. Gonzalez hacked into the computer systems of several large retailers and financial institutions and was responsible for the theft of over ten million credit card numbers. Those affected were customers of such prominent businesses as TJX Cos. (TJX), the parent company of TJMaxx and Home Goods; BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. (BJ); OfficeMax Inc. (OMX); Boston Market; Barnes & Noble Inc. (BKS); and, Sports Authority Inc. (TSA). Gonzalez received 20 years in jail for these charges.
The President and CEO of Wet Seal, Ed Thomas, said in his statement that their customer's security was a primary concern for the company. Thomas said they “acted quickly and decisively” immediately upon hearing of the breach which involved the Hannaford Brothers grocery store chain, 7-Eleven Convenience Store chain, and Heartland Payment Systems. After a thorough investigation, the company was assured that none of their credit card customers' data had been compromised. On top of the 20 years in prison that Gonzalez received in the first incident, he received an additional 20 years for the Heartland breach.