Canada Computers & Electronics is currently investigating a data breach that has impacted numerous individuals, leading to customer dissatisfaction with the company’s handling of the situation. Eric Pimentel, an IT professional, took action by canceling his credit card upon receiving a warning from the company, only to later discover that he was not actually affected.
Similarly, Brad Seward from Toronto also canceled his card following a notification from Canada Computers, only to find out later that he was not among the impacted customers. Expressing his frustration, Seward mentioned that the company’s communication seemed inconsistent.
Canada Computers informed CBC News that their investigation revealed the breach affected 1,284 customers. The retail chain, headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, disclosed that unauthorized access to their website system between December 29 and January 22 compromised customer data, including credit card information.
Following the breach discovery, Canada Computers took immediate containment measures, informed authorities, and initiated an investigation, with affected customers being notified on January 25. The incident has been reported to both the federal privacy watchdog and the police in York Region.
The company acknowledged sending misleading notifications to some customers, apologizing for the confusion and clarifying that the breach only impacted individuals who made purchases as “guests” on the website during the specified period. Despite the explanation provided by the company, customers like Pimentel and Seward remain skeptical and seek more transparency from a retailer of Canada Computers’ stature.
Cybersecurity experts, Terry Cutler and John Bruggeman, highlighted that data breaches often go undetected for extended periods and emphasized the importance of data protection measures. Canada Computers stated that affected customers have been advised on safeguarding their personal and financial information, along with being offered two years of credit monitoring and identity theft protection.
