Chick-Fil-A Is Investigating Potential Fraud After Alleged Data Hacks
Computer hackers have been taking aim at the restaurant industry for years, and the reasons aren't hard to fathom. As QSR Magazine notes, fast food chains can be vulnerable targets for hackers, given that security measures often vary for individual franchises, and restaurants often have an inexperienced workforce due to high turnover in the industry. Inexperienced employees, it seems, often unwittingly provide the entry point for hackers due to a lack of relevant training.
McDonald's cybersecurity, notably, was breached by hackers in 2021, with data theft occurring in three separate countries, per The Washington Post. Wendy's was another victim, according to Restaurant Business Online, and its breaches back in 2015 and 2016 ultimately resulted in $50 million dollars in settlement costs. The most damaging to date in the wave of fast food chain data breaches, however, may have been the related attacks that involved multiple franchises – including Arby's, Chili's, and Chipotle – with damages estimated at upwards of $1 billion, per QSR Magazine.
Customers of the popular chicken chain Chick-fil-A could be the latest victims of hackers. Nation's Restaurant News recently reported that the fast food brand is looking into possible mobile app breaches that may have exposed customers' private information.
What you need to know about the suspected Chick-fil-A data breach
Bank account and credit card information is always attractive to hackers. In fact, in December 2021, WRCB reported that compromised credit card data may have been used for fraudulent purchases at Chick-fil-A locations. Close to 9,000 people were potentially affected. Now Chick-fil-A customers are alleging their financial info was hacked from the fast food chain's mobile app in a recent data breach, according to Nation's Restaurant News. The potential hack was first announced by an Atlanta television station, 11Alive, based on more than 100 comments shared on Paulding County Uncensored, a regionally-focused Facebook page. Paulding County is in Georgia, so the claims to date are all located in that state.
In response to the reports, Chick-fil-A has shared a statement via social media acknowledging that it is aware of the situation, and is attempting to address it expeditiously. However, the company notes that it has found no evidence that its own internal security has been breached by hackers, or in fact compromised in any way.
So far, the reports of suspicious activity are limited in, but it should be noted that Chick-fil-A's mobile app has been downloaded over 10 million times, and is listed by Google Play as one the top ten most frequently downloaded restaurant-based mobile apps, per Nation's Restaurant News. Chick-fil-A customers who see or suspect any unusual activity are advised by the company, via Twitter, to call 1-866-232-2040, or to contact Chick-fil-A Cares online.