Chipotle Breach: Bel Air Location Included In Data Leak

BEL AIR, MD — Malware was used to steal customer payment data over a three-week period this spring from Chipotle restaurants across the country, and Bel Air was among the locations affected.

Customer information was compromised from transactions that occurred between March 24 and April 18, the company said in a news release.

The malware searched for track data, which at times has cardholder name in addition to card number, expiration date and internal verification code. The malware used the magnetic stripe of payment cards to access information, according to a statement from Chipotle.

"It is always advisable to remain vigilant to the possibility of fraud by reviewing your payment card statements for any unauthorized activity," Chipotle said in a statement. "You should immediately report any unauthorized charges to your card issuer because payment card rules generally provide that cardholders are not responsible for unauthorized charges reported in a timely manner." Phone numbers for credit companies are usually on the back of the cards.

Chipotle said that the malware has since been removed, and no other customer information was stolen. The company provided a list of locations that were affected by the breach on its website, though it is unclear how many customers were affected.

The restaurant at 5 Bel Air South Parkway, located in the Festival at Bel Air shopping center, was among those possibly hit in the data breach. Find all Maryland locations affected by the data breach.

Those with questions may contact the Maryland Attorney General’s Office at 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, www.oag.state.md.us, 1-888-743-0023.

People may also contact Chipotle at 888-738-0534 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., or Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

News of the breach comes over a year after an E.coli outbreak diminished customer trust in the popular restaurant. Chipotle disclosed the breach at an investor meeting in April.

— By Patch editors Mike Carraggi and Elizabeth Janney

Patch file photo.