Monoprice Possibly Hacked - Credit Cards Info Possibly Compromised?

Derrick4Real

MonoPrice Possibly Hacked

Several people are reporting that there are odd charges on credit cards they've used to make purchases from online retailer Monoprice. This is what the company had to say:

"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."

Until this issue is resolved, we recommend keeping a closer eye than usual on your credit card statement.

polkatese

Even more reason to use Paypal as the method of payment.

Demiurge

I think you're much more likely to be protected against any fraudulent charges on your account (especially against a fraudulent businesses) with a credit card company than with PayPal, IMO.

Anyways....sucks. I use them and have done so recently both for myself and for my business.

treitz3

polkatese wrote: »

Even more reason to use Paypal as the method of payment.

I'm guessing you don't remember Vladez then, huh?

polkatese

I honestly draw a blank Tom. Who is Vladez?

greyford1979

Damn no wonder why their site has been down...I was going to do some shopping on there last night:( The site is back up but now I don't feel so sure about buying anything right now:eek:

treitz3

polkatese wrote: »

I honestly draw a blank Tom. Who is Vladez?

He was that cat that got into PP and E-Bay's system a couple of years back and posted 10 people's personal information [passwords, CC info., mothers maiden names, etc...] on the E-Bay forum a couple of years back just to taunt them. It was rumored that all of the information he got a hold of was sold to various people in different countries, mainly Romania IIRC.

treitz3

Ah, it was back in '07 and it was 15 people, not 10. This was all during the time E-Bay was denying any hack jobs whatsoever, deleting any and all discussions of hacking into their system while at the same time hijacked accounts were rampant throughout E-Bay.

nadams

polkatese wrote: »

Even more reason to use Paypal as the method of payment.

Don't forget that Paypal likes to freeze your account (and any funds contained within) if there's any dispute on any eBay item for any reason, or no reason at all.

SolidSqual

polkatese wrote: »

Even more reason to use Paypal as the method of payment.

I used Paypal for my last Monoprice purchases. Somehow, that's how my Paypal info. was stolen! I've been contacted by Paypal and informed of the source of the leak. Paypal said a 3rd party attempted to access my account. They shut down my account but not before someone bought a new MacBook Air off ebay using my PayPal account. Thankfully, Paypal returned the money the next business day. I won't be using Monoprice anytime soon.

I've completely deleted my PP account and been reissued CCs. It sucks. Oh well. This is the first time I've ever been a victim.

BIZILL

i wonder how far back they may have been comprimised, if such is truely the case. i've never been a victim of fraud before this, but about 1 1/2 months ago my bank called me and put my debit card on lock. i had to have them re-issue another card. someone got away with $20 at some off-shore archery company. $20 alone wouldn't trigger the bank to call me i wouldn't think but perhaps shortly there after someone attempted a larger charge but got shut down.

hearingimpared

What really sucks is the time, expense, and loss of business that Monoprice has to endure because of these creeps. I've never purchased anything nor do look at their website but I can't help but feel disgust at these types of situations.

A few months back, we had all kinds of charges placed on our TD Bank debit/card. Apparently someone got a hold of both our account numbers and had sold them to some busineses who where hit our account. Thankfullly the bank tracked down the culprit and the businses and returned out money. It was somewhere in the vacinity of $400 to $500 dollars. It's a good thing we check our online banking daily or we could have been in a world of hurt.

Derrick4Real

Front Page of their site:

"We're going to perform server maintenance until next Tuesday (12:00AM PT), March 15th, 2010. During this maintenance, our website will not be available to take orders. Our tech support and customer service will be available. Truly sorry for any inconvenience it may cause you.

Thank you for your understanding and shopping at MonoPrice.com.

ryanjoachim

I guess it's lucky for me the the account info I have on Monoprice is out-dated and no longer valid!

JohnLocke88

Same here. haven't bought anything from them in a while.

PhantomOG

damn, that sucks. Thanks for posting this. I don't think I "stored" my CC info with them, I usually don't if given the option. Too bad I can't login right now to see. I have used paypal to pay for purchases there in the past though, so as a precaution I went ahead and removed my CC info from my paypal account and changed the password.

Huck344

And firefold.com was taking advantage of it. They had an ad on facebook on Monday stating that that they were still open while monoprice was down. Pretty poor taste if you ask me.

SolidSqual

Huck344 wrote: »

And firefold.com was taking advantage of it. They had an ad on facebook on Monday stating that that they were still open while monoprice was down. Pretty poor taste if you ask me.

Are you kidding? It's called comparative advertising and Capitalism. Nothing is better than informing consumers of better alternatives and better products.

"Hey electronic buyers, we're Firefold.com. Unlike Monoprice, which is currently shutdown from a security scare, our servers are 100% secure and functioning at the highest standards to make your buying experience safe and enjoyable."

Demiurge

I checked my personal and corporate cards and neither of them have any issues. I purchased from them not that long ago.

While people have a right to be concerned, there's not necessarily a problem here.

I applaud Monoprice for shutting down their site until their sure. They don't have to do that. I'll be back to buying from them as soon as everything is back to normal.

Huck344

SolidSqual wrote: »

"Unlike Monoprice, which is currently shutdown from a security scare, our servers are 100% secure and functioning at the highest standards to make your buying experience safe and enjoyable."

Until it happens to them!:D

I guess, I just find it a bit classless (and bad karma) to point out in advertisements something bad that has happened to your competitors. It's kind of if GM put out an ad that said, "buy our cars, they don't suddenly accelerate without cause and kill people."

hearingimpared

Huck344 wrote: »

And firefold.com was taking advantage of it. They had an ad on facebook on Monday stating that that they were still open while monoprice was down. Pretty poor taste if you ask me.

SolidSqual wrote: »

Are you kidding? It's called comparative advertising and Capitalism. Nothing is better than informing consumers of better alternatives and better products.

"Hey electronic buyers, we're Firefold.com. Unlike Monoprice, which is currently shutdown from a security scare, our servers are 100% secure and functioning at the highest standards to make your buying experience safe and enjoyable."

Absolutely agree!:cool:

hearingimpared

Huck344 wrote: »

Until it happens to them!:D

I guess, I just find it a bit classless (and bad karma) to point out in advertisements something bad that has happened to your competitors. It's kind of if GM put out an ad that said, "buy our cars, they don't suddenly accelerate without cause and kill people."

Huck, I see nothing wrong with the truth in advertizing. Of course it could be phrased tastfully.

Demiurge

I'm as capitalist as they come. The ability to do something in business doesn't mean you should do it. The fact that people will perceive it as a slimy thing to do, right or wrong as they may be, is one of the reasons why you need to consider if the tactic is going to be a net positive for your bottom line before you act.

I have customers call me all the time trashing my main competitor and praising my products. I never say a bad word about that competitor and always thank them for the positive things they say about mine. If they choose their stuff over mine, I thank them for their consideration and urge them to call us if they need anything in the future.

That does not mean I won't point out the advantages and disadvantages between my products and theirs, because I absolutely will and I'll do so relentlessly.

I didn't see the advertisement, so I can't comment on it specifically, but overtly bashing a competitor is widely considered bad business. There are much better, more subtle ways to crush the competition than desperately taking pot shots.

hearingimpared

Demiurge wrote: »

I'm as capitalist as they come. The ability to do something in business doesn't mean you should do it. The fact that people will perceive it as a slimy thing to do, right or wrong as they may be, is one of the reasons why you need to consider if the tactic is going to be a net positive for your bottom line before you act.

I have customers call me all the time trashing my main competitor and praising my products. I never say a bad word about that competitor and always thank them for the positive things they say about mine. If they choose their stuff over mine, I thank them for their consideration and urge them to call us if they need anything in the future.

That does not mean I won't point out the advantages and disadvantages between my products and theirs, because I absolutely will and I'll do so relentlessly.

I didn't see the advertisement, so I can't comment on it specifically, but overtly bashing a competitor is widely considered bad business. There are much better, more subtle ways to crush the competition than desperately taking pot shots.

. . .and I'm sure you phrased it tactfully. I agree that all out bashing of a competitor does not cast the basher in a good light.

Huck344

Here is the current ad which is MUCH more tasteful than the previous ad which called out monoprice by name. I have no problems with the current ad. I assume I get these ads because I am a fan of monoprice on facebook and firefold can chose who they send their ads to.

SolidSqual

Huck344 wrote: »

Here is the current ad which is MUCH more tasteful than the previous ad which called out monoprice by name. I have no problems with the current ad. I assume I get these ads because I am a fan of monoprice on facebook and firefold can chose who they send their ads to.

I don't see anything wrong with calling them out by name. It's not distasteful at all. Are you disgusted by the competing ads between AT&T and Verizon?

Huck344

Don't think I ever used the word "disgusted."

I'm not bothered by the AT&T/Verizon ads because they are not overtly taking advantage of an unfortunate incident (which, by the way, didn't happen according to monoprice). Take for example several years ago when Jack in the Box had the e coli tainted beef. I would find it in tremendous poor taste if Burger King or any other fast food had an ad that said, "come eat here, you won't die."

Just to clarify, I am by no means a monoprice apologist/defender, nor am I a firefold basher. Both seem to have similar prices. I've bought from monoprice, but never firefold, primarily because I can get monoprice stuff in a day with standard shipping (they are only about 30 miles from me).

I just thought the original ad (I wish they still had it up on facebook) was lacking in class. I didn't mean to hijack this thread!:D

BIZILL

i agree with the huck and demi this time around. distasteful. but this is a dog eat dog would and i have a chihuahua on my lap.

Huck344

BIZILL wrote: »

this is a dog eat dog would and i have a chihuahua on my lap.

:eek::eek::eek:

polkatese

SolidSqual wrote: »

I used Paypal for my last Monoprice purchases. Somehow, that's how my Paypal info. was stolen! I've been contacted by Paypal and informed of the source of the leak. Paypal said a 3rd party attempted to access my account. They shut down my account but not before someone bought a new MacBook Air off ebay using my PayPal account. Thankfully, Paypal returned the money the next business day. I won't be using Monoprice anytime soon.

I've completely deleted my PP account and been reissued CCs. It sucks. Oh well. This is the first time I've ever been a victim.

Sorry to hear that SS! I guess at the end of the day, any method of payments are not going to be 100% foolproof. Crafty crooks and hackers are everywhere.

drselect

Bought some cables from monoprice two weeks ago using my CC... Just got off the phone with my CC company asked me if I stayed in the UK last night told them I was at home. Had several other charges as well that I didn't make. Account has been closed. Might be a coincident but timing seems right and never had this happen to me before.