Hackers steal McDonald's customer data

Network World ^ | 12/11/10 | Juan Carlos Perez

[Libloather]

Hackers steal McDonald's customer data
Compromised information includes names, postal and e-mail addresses, phone numbers and age-verification data
By Juan Carlos Perez, IDG News Service
December 11, 2010 10:41 AM ET

McDonald's is working with law enforcement authorities after malicious hackers broke into another company's databases and stole information about an undetermined number of the fast food chain's customers.

McDonald's has also alerted potentially affected customers via e-mail and through a message on its website.

"We have been informed by one of our long-time business partners, Arc Worldwide, that limited customer information collected in connection with certain McDonald’s websites and promotions was obtained by an unauthorized third party," a McDonald's spokeswoman said via e-mail on Saturday.

[conservativegranny]

I had to register on their site to play monopoly. It was just name and address type of information.

I just received an email from Walgreens last week that said their customer data had been hacked as well. I am assuming that would mean pharmacy as well.

We had our flu shot there this year and had to give some information for that. Nothing that someone could use to steal our identity however I have had a few prescriptions filled there.

There is no way our medical records are private. No way.

[Abathar]

There is no extra charge for using a credit card, McDonalds might lose 2-3% on their end to VISA but the guy using it pays the same as you do with cash.

[Prince of Space]

My long-time transcription job at a Phoenix hospital was just sent to India. The Indians doing American patient's medical reports are doing the job in their homes and have access to your SSN, DOB, address, and phone number, not to mention all of your medical information.

Heck, I had access to that information as well, but I never used it for nefarious purposes. Of course, I don't live in a 3rd world country making slave wages....well, not yet anyway.

Mrs. Prince of Space

[Bronzy]

Thanks. I’m safe. Some of those games and free drawings take your name off the “No Call” list by signing up for the drawing.

[freedumb2003]

Why in heaven’s name would anyone give Mickey D’s his/her personal info?!

Never question Big Ronald Madam 2 Big Mac meals (one regular Coke, one Diet Coke) and 2 Happy Meals last Thursday person...

We and Disney are EVERYWHERE BUAHAHAHAHAHA!

[texmexis best]

Overheard in the MIT Computer Lab:

12 Trillion Served? WTF?

[freedumb2003]

And here I thought computers just blow up when you ask them non sequiteurs...

[mikrofon]

Did they get fries with that?

[FrankR]

Unless someone can come up with a foolproof way to lock data in computers, this will never end.

Seems I remember something like "...all your eggs in one basket...", or something like that.

[NoGrayZone]

'Why in heaven’s name would anyone give Mickey D’s his/her personal info?!'

I suppose it's only those who use their credit/debit cards to purchase $10 worth of food.

[bgill]

Probably MO did it to close down fast foods.

[Secret Agent Man]

Think about it.

[PAR35]

It is amazing that people will pay a $3.00 or more credit card charge on top of a $5.00 meal.

I don't pay fees for using a credit card. Perhaps you don't know the difference between credit cards and ATM cards?

[bunkerhill7]

McBurglar steal McDonald’s customer data

[GourmetDan]

I think it’s Hamburglar.

[bunkerhill7]

no,McDonald`s doesn`t serve ham any more- it`s all halal now.

[bunkerhill7]

It`s MeccaBurgers now

[He Rides A White Horse]

Did they get fries with that?

Yes, with a side dish of E. Coli and salmonella.

[FourPeas]

I’m sorry about your job. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but I’d think something as technical and important as transcription would be done by a native English speaker. A family member did hospital transcribing and from the stories I’ve heard, having an excellent grasp of the language is essential.

I also know of health care companies that have outsourced jobs to India that involve having access to SSN, wages, personal heathcare information, etc. There’s no special security done on the Indian workers, and there’s no way of knowing what is done with the information they have access to — it all relies on the honor system. Scary.