NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S
Credit Card Fraud Update

 

In late September, Not Your Average Joe’s learned that our Massachusetts restaurants were targeted by an individual or individuals seeking to illegally obtain credit card data.  We quickly took steps to further secure our system, notify the public and work with external investigators to identify the cause of the security breach.  As a result, are confident that all credit card transactions happening at Not Your Average Joe’s today are secure.

 

Based on our investigation, there are several important things our customers should know:

  • The data was illegally obtained between early August and late September, impacted some customers who dined at a Not Your Average Joes during that period; however, the information could be used at any time.
  • The only information our company has access to are the credit card number, expiration date and name associated with the card.
  • Though Not Your Average Joe’s does not have any other identifying data (such as social security number, address, date of birth), you should still treat this issue seriously and carefully monitor your credit report for possible identity theft.  To do so, you should contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies.
  • We have been informed that  some customers whose data was obtained have had fraudulent charges placed on their credit cards.
  • If a customer had fraudulent charges placed on his or her card, he or she should not be held responsible for those charges; the problem can be resolved by calling your credit card company, reporting the issue and cancelling the card. 

 

We encourage all customers who dined in our restaurant during the August and September timeframe to check both past and future credit card invoices carefully for unrecognized charges, which could indicate fraudulent activity.

 

Once Not Your Average Joe’s became aware of this issue, we immediately took steps to further increase the security of our data systems; while we cannot detail these steps without compromising ongoing security, we believe all credit card transmittals are secure.  In fact, the security systems Not Your Average Joe’s has in place today far exceeds industry standards. 

We sincerely apologize to our customers for any inconvenience that this issue may cause them. 

 


 

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S
FAQs for Customers

 

1.  I recently ate at Not Your Average Joe’s.  Does that mean my credit card was used fraudulently?
The illegal collection of credit card data  occurred largely between early August and late September.  If you dined at Not Your Average Joes and used your credit card in August or September, we recommend that you carefully monitor past and future credit card statements for signs of fraudulent activity.  If you find unfamiliar charges, then you should contact your credit card company.

2.  I just looked at my bill and there are several charges I don’t recognize.  What should I do?

The first step you should take is to call your credit card company, report the issue and cancel the card.  You will not be held responsible for any charges found to be fraudulent.  Also, be aware that you may have fraudulent charges on your card that are not a result of dining at Not Your Average Joe’s.  Credit card fraud is a growing problem, and all consumers should regularly review their monthly credit card statements.

3.  Am I at risk of identity theft as a result of this issue?

The only information our company has access to are the credit card number, expiration date and name associated with the card.   Though Not Your Average Joe’s does not have any other identifying data (such as social security number, address, date of birth), you should still treat this issue seriously and carefully monitor your credit report for signs of identity theft.  To do so, you should contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, www.equifax.com, P.O Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742), www.experian.com, P.O Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289, www.transunion.com, Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

4.  What has Not Your Average Joe’s done since learning of this issue?

The security of our customer’s data is of utmost importance to us.  Therefore, we took several immediate steps in response to this issue, including: 

    • Contracting with an external forensic analyst to help us identify the cause; that analysis is ongoing
    • Increasing the security of our data systems; while we cannot detail these steps without compromising ongoing security, we believe all credit card transmittals are secure
    • Cooperating with both credit card companies and other external authorities that are also investigating this issue


    5.  Is it safe to use my credit card at Not Your Average Joes?

    We are confident that you can safely use your credit card at our restaurants.  Working with external experts in data transmission, we have implemented a number of additional safeguards designed to provide the highest level of security in the industry as a result We are confident that customer data is secure.  

     

    6. If the impact is so limited, why are you telling customers?
    We want our customers to be aware of the issue and carefully review their credit card statements for signs of fraudulent activity.


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