EFT Tampering Uncovered at RI and Southern MA Stop & Shop Stores
Earlier this week, Stop & Shop was notified of possible fraudulent activity
associated with credit and debit cards used at two of our stores in Rhode Island. In our
ongoing investigation, we have discovered tampering of one checkout lane EFT (Electronic
Funds Transfer) unit (otherwise known as a pin pad) in our store at 900 Tiogue Avenue in
Coventry and another at 200 Atwood Avenue in Cranston, Rhode Island. As a result of this
tampering, account and pin numbers associated with some credit and debit cards used in
these two checkout lanes in early February were stolen.
Immediately following this discovery, Stop & Shop began working with local police
departments and the US Secret Service to determine the extent of the crime and to help
apprehend those responsible. We also have contacted our credit and debit processors and
business partners in order to identify and protect affected customer accounts.
Stop & Shop's investigation has also discovered evidence of tampering in our stores
at 605 Metacom Avenue in Bristol, Rhode Island, 333 West River Street, Providence, Rhode
Island, 300 Quaker Lane in Warwick, Rhode Island, and 125 Highland Avenue in Seekonk,
Massachusetts. However, no fraudulent transactions relating to debit or credit cards used
at these store locations have been reported to Stop & Shop. Our investigation has not
uncovered any involvement or suspected involvement of any Stop & Shop personnel in
the tampering.
Stop & Shop apologizes to our customers who may be inconvenienced by this criminal
activity which has occurred in these stores. We recommend that our customers who used
electronic payment cards in our Rhode Island stores and our Seekonk, Massachusetts store
carefully monitor their bank or credit card statements relating to such cards and that
they contact the applicable bank or credit card issuer immediately in the event of any
fraudulent transactions. Our customers with further questions can visit Stop & Shop
online at www.stopandshop.com or call us at (877) 366-2668.
Stop & Shop's investigation working with law enforcement is ongoing, but we believe
it is important to let our customers know the information which has been uncovered
throughout this week. In response to the discovery of this tampering, Stop & Shop has
performed an inventory and inspection of EFT units in all of our stores. We also have
taken immediate steps to ensure our EFT units are physically secure to prevent further
tampering. We believe these steps will protect the security of our payment network and
the privacy of our customers using credit and debit cards.
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