Wawa is a fixture here in the Delaware Valley. A data breach was discovered on December 10th. Click here to read letter from Wawa CEO to customers.
Here are a couple of items to note:
- The malware was present in their network since last March but no one knew until December. Malware is usually installed when people click on a link in an email. Please be very cautious about not only clicking links in emails, but opening email attachments without scanning them first. Yes, it might be inconvenient but it’s worth it.
- The hackers can hide in the network for many months undetected.
- If you used your credit card at Wawa, they’re offering help:
- Wawa has arranged for Experian to provide potentially impacted customers with one year of identity theft protection and credit monitoring at no charge. Visit Experian Identity Works website at https://www.experianidworks.com/credit to enroll. The activation code is 4H2H3T9H6, according to Wawa’s letter to customers.
- According to Wawa, U.S. residents are entitled – under U.S. law – to one free credit report annually from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free at 877-322-8228 to claim.
From a tax standpoint, you can get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to help prevent the misuse of your Social Security number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. Click here to read more at www.IRS.gov