Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
03-10-10, 07:51 PM
#1
DVD Talk Hero
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Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
Monoprice, where many of us buy HDMI and other cables, has temporarily shut down their website while they investigate a possible security breach.
A number of Monoprice customers have reported being hit fraudulent charges on the credit cards they used at the website, so if you've ordered from them, check your cc statements carefully.
From their website:
A number of Monoprice customers have reported being hit fraudulent charges on the credit cards they used at the website, so if you've ordered from them, check your cc statements carefully.
From their website:
A few of our customers recently reported to us that information from credit cards they used on the Monoprice website had been misused. We promptly began an investigation with the help of expert computer forensic investigators to determine if any card data had been stolen from our computers.
To date, the investigators have found no evidence that card information has been stolen from Monoprice’s computer network. As a precaution to ensure that our customers’ information is not at risk, we have taken our website offline temporarily while we and our investigators complete the audit of our computer network.
We want to ensure that there is no security vulnerability in any part of our computer network system. We notified local and federal law enforcement agencies, our credit card processing business partners, and all credit card companies that some of our customers reported concerns regarding their card information to us.
We also advised these entities that we are working with outside security specialists to determine if there was breach of our computer system. We will post additional information when it is available. We regret any inconvenience that our investigation and the temporary suspension of the Monoprice website may have caused you. Thank you so much for your great support.
To date, the investigators have found no evidence that card information has been stolen from Monoprice’s computer network. As a precaution to ensure that our customers’ information is not at risk, we have taken our website offline temporarily while we and our investigators complete the audit of our computer network.
We want to ensure that there is no security vulnerability in any part of our computer network system. We notified local and federal law enforcement agencies, our credit card processing business partners, and all credit card companies that some of our customers reported concerns regarding their card information to us.
We also advised these entities that we are working with outside security specialists to determine if there was breach of our computer system. We will post additional information when it is available. We regret any inconvenience that our investigation and the temporary suspension of the Monoprice website may have caused you. Thank you so much for your great support.
Last edited by Josh-da-man; 03-10-10 at 07:53 PM.
03-10-10, 08:54 PM
#2
DVD Talk Legend & 2021 TOTY Winner
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
Luckily, I've only used paypal when ordering from them.
03-10-10, 09:11 PM
#3
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
I have also only used paypal with them.
Here's another article: http://consumerist.com/2010/03/monop...stigation.html
From that article, this worries me:
And their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Monopricecom
Here's another article: http://consumerist.com/2010/03/monop...stigation.html
From that article, this worries me:
Ine writes:
I placed an order last Monday and two days later an unauthorized charge was made on my card. The strange things were:
1. I used PayPal.
2. The unauthorized charge was NOT made on the card I used via PayPal, but was made to the DEFAULT card on my PayPal account.
3. The unauthorized charges was not made through PayPal. It was a regular credit card purchase.
I placed an order last Monday and two days later an unauthorized charge was made on my card. The strange things were:
1. I used PayPal.
2. The unauthorized charge was NOT made on the card I used via PayPal, but was made to the DEFAULT card on my PayPal account.
3. The unauthorized charges was not made through PayPal. It was a regular credit card purchase.
Last edited by RocShemp; 03-10-10 at 09:19 PM.
03-10-10, 09:38 PM
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Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
I haven't ordered from Monoprice in a couple of months, but I had a mysterious credit card charge show up on my account from MBPURCHASE.COM on March 1 and a refund the following day. I have no idea if this was related to the Monoprice incident or not, but I already canceled that credit card and received a replacement.
03-10-10, 09:39 PM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
Yikes
I'll probably be watching this thread (and my bank account) carefully over the next couple weeks.
I'll probably be watching this thread (and my bank account) carefully over the next couple weeks.
03-10-10, 10:03 PM
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
I ordered from them via paypal several months ago and the card used to activate that account expired ages ago. Still, I'm gonna be paying close attention to my statement.
03-10-10, 11:14 PM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
I'm glad that I decided to toss in an AmazonBasics HDMI for $5.90 to my order instead of going through Monoprice.
03-11-10, 01:14 AM
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Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
A lot of pissed off people on their Facebook page.
What's with all the reports of $1 iTunes charges just before the large fraud charges?
What's with all the reports of $1 iTunes charges just before the large fraud charges?
03-11-10, 02:45 AM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
03-11-10, 03:13 AM
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
So far I dont see anything on my cards. I made a purchase in January. *crosses fingers*
03-11-10, 03:14 AM
#11
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Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
I figured as much, but why "test" the card with only a $1 charge? Why not just go nuts and try and order the plasma tv right away?
I would think that "testing" the card through iTunes would just add another paper trail to catch the fucknut who is stealing credit cards.
I guess I would be a wash-up in credit card fraud.
I guess these people all should have signed up for Lifelock. Or not.
I would think that "testing" the card through iTunes would just add another paper trail to catch the fucknut who is stealing credit cards.
I guess I would be a wash-up in credit card fraud.
I guess these people all should have signed up for Lifelock. Or not.
03-11-10, 06:24 AM
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Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
I figured as much, but why "test" the card with only a $1 charge? Why not just go nuts and try and order the plasma tv right away?
I would think that "testing" the card through iTunes would just add another paper trail to catch the fucknut who is stealing credit cards.
I guess I would be a wash-up in credit card fraud.
I guess these people all should have signed up for Lifelock. Or not.
I would think that "testing" the card through iTunes would just add another paper trail to catch the fucknut who is stealing credit cards.
I guess I would be a wash-up in credit card fraud.
I guess these people all should have signed up for Lifelock. Or not.
03-11-10, 06:27 AM
#13
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Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
I have also only used paypal with them.
Here's another article: http://consumerist.com/2010/03/monop...stigation.html
From that article, this worries me:
And their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Monopricecom
Here's another article: http://consumerist.com/2010/03/monop...stigation.html
From that article, this worries me:
And their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Monopricecom
03-11-10, 09:47 AM
#15
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
It still amazes me that people use debit cards online, judging by some of the complaints.
Last edited by TheNightFlier; 03-11-10 at 10:06 AM.
03-11-10, 10:12 AM
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Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
03-11-10, 06:00 PM
#17
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Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
I made a purchase not using PayPal, but using a card, and I was nailed. Thankfully my bank stopped the majority of the transactions, but 2 slipped through. The $1 iTunes charge and a game download for $54. I'm disputing the charges now.
I wonder what happened?
I wonder what happened?
03-11-10, 07:32 PM
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
In addition to what Pilot said, sometimes the card number isn't used by whoever gets it, but rather is sold to someone else. Once a big purchase is made, the victim may notice and the card number is then worthless.
Plus, with something like iTunes, the charge is processed immediately so they know right away if it's good or not. If they tried to order a physical product, the card won't get charged until the item ships. Also, places like Amazon will suspect fraud if a second account is opened using an existing customer's card. I had that happen to me last year. Amazon emailed me about it, closed the new account, and blocked the purchase.
Plus, with something like iTunes, the charge is processed immediately so they know right away if it's good or not. If they tried to order a physical product, the card won't get charged until the item ships. Also, places like Amazon will suspect fraud if a second account is opened using an existing customer's card. I had that happen to me last year. Amazon emailed me about it, closed the new account, and blocked the purchase.
03-11-10, 09:09 PM
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Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
well, thanks for the post, OP.
I, too ordered from them, using paypal. The good news is that I only have one card associated with that account, an AmEx. They're awesome about dealing with and going after fraudulent charges.
I, too ordered from them, using paypal. The good news is that I only have one card associated with that account, an AmEx. They're awesome about dealing with and going after fraudulent charges.
03-16-10, 01:37 AM
#20
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
Apparently Monoprice is back online.
So who'll be the first brave soul to order from them?
So who'll be the first brave soul to order from them?
03-16-10, 02:35 AM
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
I actually ordered through them today without knowing about this. You can no longer pay by credit card through their website. Options are Paypal, Google Checkout and mailing them a payment.
03-16-10, 06:42 AM
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Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
I noticed they changed the site to green. Is the green supposed to be calming?
03-16-10, 08:49 AM
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Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
03-16-10, 09:19 AM
#24
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03-16-10, 12:37 PM
#25
Re: Monoprice.com possibly hacked, cc numbers stolen
It's funny - based on the responses from this thread, businesses really can't win. One wonders why companies either bother to tell customers anything. Yeah, it sucks that they got hit but what can you do?
I recall when the TJX companies got hit years ago. They avoided telling their customers for a couple of years. One reason was the extent of the "infiltration" was unknown that there was an ongoing fed investigation. Or so the story goes. Meanwhile, more and more customers were getting hit.
But even if a customer had known - what are you going to do? Stop shopping completely? Tell the store to remove your credit/debit card data? By then it's probably too late anyway.
As far as I'm concerned I can respect the companies that actually do try to get the message out. At least it allows the customers to monitor and catch problems before they become substantial. I've never had a problem at Monoprice, with them or their product. And I'll keep purchasing from them. I will also keep tabs on my account since my CC info is on file with them. Big deal. This is just another example to be vigilant as a consumer - period.
I recall when the TJX companies got hit years ago. They avoided telling their customers for a couple of years. One reason was the extent of the "infiltration" was unknown that there was an ongoing fed investigation. Or so the story goes. Meanwhile, more and more customers were getting hit.
But even if a customer had known - what are you going to do? Stop shopping completely? Tell the store to remove your credit/debit card data? By then it's probably too late anyway.
As far as I'm concerned I can respect the companies that actually do try to get the message out. At least it allows the customers to monitor and catch problems before they become substantial. I've never had a problem at Monoprice, with them or their product. And I'll keep purchasing from them. I will also keep tabs on my account since my CC info is on file with them. Big deal. This is just another example to be vigilant as a consumer - period.