Politics & Government

Blue Back Square Barnes & Noble Among Those Breached by Hackers

Three stores in Connecticut were among 63 affected by thieves who stole credit and debit card information.

Three Barnes & Noble stores in Connecticut were among 63 in nine states where hackers stole customers' credit and debit card information from keypad terminals at the registers, according to a news release from Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen.

One of those stores was the Blue Back Square location at 60 Isham Road, and the others were in Stamford and North Haven. The breach happened before Sept. 14 and the number of affected Connecticut customers is not known.

"Given the possible impact on individuals in Connecticut and elsewhere, my office is requesting detailed information on how this breach occurred, what steps have been taken to protect the affected individuals, and what new procedures have been adopted to prevent future data breaches,” Attorney General Jepsen wrote Wednesday in a letter to Gene DeFelice, the company’s vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary.

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Consumers who used their credit or debit card in the Blue Back Square store should change their pin numbers and check their bank and credit card statements for illegal activity, Jepsen's release said.

Anyone with complaints or concerns can contact the Office of the Attorney General's Consumer Assistance Unit at 860-808-5420. Consumers can also call Barnes & Noble with questions or concerns at 1-888-471-7809 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

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Barnes & Noble said in a news release Wednesday that it has discontinued use of all PIN pads in its nearly 700 stores and that an internal investigation has been conducted.

 


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