Six US banks have issued warnings to their customers regarding potential debit card security breaches. These breaches, stemming from a security incident at a merchant’s payment processing platform, have led some banks to proactively issue replacement cards to affected customers.
According to filings with the Massachusetts state government, Mainstreet Bank, Savers Bank, The Village Bank, Watertown Savings Bank, Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, and Eagle Bank are among the institutions impacted. These banks have indicated that a number of debit cards may have been compromised due to a security breach affecting a merchant’s payment card system.
Eagle Bank, in a notice to its customers that was publicly posted, revealed that an unidentified Mastercard merchant experienced unauthorized access to account information. Similar notifications from The Village Bank and Savers Bank also point to a breach at a merchant level as the source of the security issue.
Savers Bank explicitly stated in their customer communication, “We have been notified by MasterCard International of a suspected security breach of a merchant’s network, transactions that may have compromised some of Savers Bank’s debit card numbers.”
In response to the potential threat, both Eagle Bank and Savers Bank are taking a proactive approach by automatically issuing new debit cards to customers who may be affected. This measure is designed to mitigate potential fraudulent activity and ensure the security of customer accounts.
Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, while not providing extensive details about the origin of the breach, has also confirmed that they are issuing mandatory replacement debit cards to their customers as a precautionary step.
Watertown Savings Bank is adopting a slightly different approach, urging customers to closely monitor their account activity and offering new cards upon request. The bank’s notice to customers explained, “The breach included the capture of some of your personal information, such as your name and card number… we do ask that you remain vigilant on monitoring your account activity for the next 12 to 24 months and report any unusual or suspicious activity immediately. If you prefer that we issue a new card please contact the bank.”
Mainstreet Bank specified that the security incident occurred between June 28, 2023, and April 26, 2024, and involved the potential compromise of personally identifiable information. “We have reason to believe that some of our customers may have had their card data compromised (which could include card names, numbers, and card expiration dates) in the incident,” Mainstreet Bank stated. They are providing customers with the option to request a new card as an added security measure.
These incidents highlight the ongoing risks associated with debit card security and the importance of vigilance for bank customers. It is crucial for individuals to regularly review their account statements for any unauthorized transactions and to promptly report any suspicious activity to their bank. As banks work to address these breaches and enhance security measures, customer awareness and proactive monitoring remain vital in safeguarding personal financial information.
