Staples investigating potential credit card data breach

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Office supply superstore Staples is working with law enforcement and security experts, after several banks noticed patterns of fraudulence indicating Staples' customers may be victims of yet another major-retail credit card data breach.

KrebsOnSecurity first reported the breach, writing, "According to more than a half-dozen sources at banks operating on the East Coast, it appears likely that fraudsters have succeeded in stealing customer card data from some subset of Staples locations, including seven Staples stores in Pennsylvania, at least three in New York City, and another in New Jersey."

"Staples is in the process of investigating a potential issue involving credit card data and has contacted law enforcement," representatives for the retailer said in an official statement to Krebs.

"We take the protection of customer information very seriously, and are working to resolve the situation. If Staples discovers an issue, it is important to note that customers are not responsible for any fraudulent activity on their credit cards that is reported on [in] a timely basis."

Although Staples offered an official response to Krebs' Oct. 14 report, they did not confirm the breadth and formality of their investigation until Monday, October 20, shortly after announcing they are partnering with Apple to support Apple Pay at its locations and online.