Company starts an investigation after recent rumors

Feb 1, 2016 10:15 GMT  ·  By

Wendy's restaurant chain has started an investigation regarding a possible data breach reported by members of the financial sector, Brian Krebs reports.

Mr. Krebs, former Washington Post reporter, was contacted last week by contacts in the banking community who informed him of numerous fraudulent transactions for victims that had in common the fact that they had used their credit card at Wendy's restaurants in the immediate past.

First fraudulent transactions happened in the US Midwest, but a few days later, Mr. Krebs was told that fraudulent transactions were recorded on the US' East coast as well.

The reporter contacted Wendy's, and a company spokesperson confirmed that the company was aware of the issue, and they had already gone on to hire a cyber-forensics firm to investigate their IT network for a possible card breach.

"Reports indicate that fraudulent charges may have occurred elsewhere after the cards were legitimately used at some of our restaurants," Bob Bertini, Wendy's spokesperson informed Mr. Krebs. "We began investigating immediately, and the period of time we’re looking at the incidents is late last year. We know it’s [affecting] some restaurants but it’s not appropriate just yet to speculate on anything in terms of scope."

There are over 6,500 Wendy's restaurants and franchises currently operating in the US and 28 countries around the world.