Three Landry's Inc. Austin Restaurants Affected By Massive Data Breach

AUSTIN, TX -- Three Austin restaurants owned by Landry’s Inc. are among those that may have been affected by a data breach of the Houston-based restaurant chain.

Company officials said this week they’ve launched an investigation after being alerted to suspicious activity related to customers’ credit card data.

“Findings from the investigation show that criminal attackers were able to install a program on payment processing devices at certain of the Companies’ restaurants, food and beverage outlets, spas, entertainment destinations, and managed properties,” company officials said in a press release.

The company has since started to alert patrons whose credit card information might have been compromised. They also created a list of affected restaurants nationwide.

In Austin, the three restaurants affected by the breach are:

• The since-closed Willie G’s Seafood and Steak House formerly at 401 Congerss Ave. The restaurant closed in 2014, and no likely breach dates were available.
• McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks, located at 11600 Century Oaks Terrace. The data breach there would have occurred between May 6 to Dec. 2 of last year, officials noted.
  
• Saltgrass Steak House, 10614 Research Blvd., with affected dates between May 5-Dec. 2 of 2015.

The company has set up a toll-free line to which customers can call with questions and concerns at (877) 238-2151 (U.S. and Canada), Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.

Company officials urged customers to check their statement to detect any unauthorized charges.

“Customers that used a payment card at an affected location during its at-risk window should remain vigilant to the possibility of fraud by reviewing their payment card statements for any unauthorized activity,” Landry’s officials said.

“Customers should immediately report any unauthorized charges to their card issuer because payment card rules generally provide that cardholders are not responsible for unauthorized charges reported in a timely manner.”

To view the full list of affected restaurants nationwide, click here.