Many IHG Properties Hit by Credit Card Data Breach
IHG issued a press release at the end of last week alerting guests of a credit card data breach from credit card readers at the front desks of 'certain IHG-branded franchise locations' from September 29 through December 29, 2016. The chain hired a cyber security firm to investigate after it noticed a pattern of unauthorized charges on certain credit cards after they'd been used at various properties. The investigation began in February and ended last month.
After the investigation, it was made known that malware had been installed to harvest information like names, card numbers, expiration dates and security codes when a card was swiped at an affected property. There's no evidence to suggest that sensitive information was collected by the malware after December 29, 2016. IHG says that it has alerted law enforcement and is working with card issuers as well as the cyber security firm it hired to shore up its security systems and to make sure that the malware is eliminated.
IHG has a webpage where you can see the affected properties — most seem to be Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express hotels in the US and Puerto Rico including the Holiday Inn Express New York City Times Square, Holiday Inn Express Los Angeles Downtown West and the Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare.
Remember that you aren't responsible for unauthorized charges on your card. You should consider requesting a replacement card if you visited any of these properties during the time that the breach was active.
Were you affected by this recent IHG credit card data breach?
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app