The Associated Press and CNet News reported earlier this week of a data intrusion to Hannaford Bros., a supermarket chain based in Portland, Maine, wherein 4.2 million accounts had been stolen. The company had already issued a letter of apology to their clients, which is available under the News & Events header in their official Web site.

Although the number of victims is indeed baffling, the company assured that no personal information about their clients were actually stolen or exposed to the public but only numbers and expiration dates of their credit and debit cards. Ron Hodge, President and CEO of Hannaford, further stated in the letter that “(the) intrusion affected (165) Hannaford stores, (106) Sweetbay stores in Florida and certain independently-owned retail locations in the Northeast that carry Hannaford products.” They are now working closely with the U.S. Secret Service to apprehend the culprit(s).

Initial investigations revealed that the Hannaford data breach was the end result of a 4-month-long continuous intrusion into the company that began early December last year and ended just last March 10. Hannaford only realized unusual credit card activities late last month. As of this writing, investigations are still ongoing.

Hannaford patrons are warned to keep a close eye on their card statements and advised to immediately inform authorities of unusual transactions once found. Fraudsters and identity thieves are known to take part in coaxing personal information out of the victims in the form of phones calls and email messages. The company warned their clients to be wary of such activities, as well.

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