Tactical gear seller 5.11 leaks payment card information

5.11, an online retailer of premium tactical gear, clothing and accessories, has notified almost 30,000 of its customers of a data breach.

In a data breach notification addressed to the Office of the Maine Attorney General, the company says it has become the victim of a ‘data security incident’.

In August, employees discovered ‘unusual activity’ at the online store. Forensic investigation showed that personal information may have been stolen from customers who purchased items from the store between July 12 and August 22.

According to the retailer, a plethora of personal information might have been swiped, including full names, email addresses, payment card numbers, expiration dates, and security codes. This data is often used to commit identity theft and to make online purchases in someone else’s name.

In total 27,742 customers have been affected by the data breach.

Upon discovery, 5.11 immediately took steps to secure its e-commerce platform. To protect customer information and prevent fraudulent activity, the company reported the incident to the payment card brands and law enforcement authorities.

The retailer recommends affected customers to review their current and past credit and debit card statements for discrepancies and unusual activity. “If you see anything that you do not understand or that looks suspicious, or if you suspect that any fraudulent transactions have taken place, you should call the bank that issued the credit or debit card immediately,” the company says.

To help victims with their troubles , the seller offers data breach and recovery services through IDX.

“Rest assured, we take our customers’ trust in 5.11, and this matter, very seriously. Please accept our apologies for any concern or inconvenience this may cause you,” Chief Administrative Officer Deborah Ajeska states.

5.11 is an American retailer of outdoor clothing, footwear, uniforms and tactical equipment. The company primarily sells its products to the military, law enforcement agencies and public safety personnel, including the FBI.

The tactical gear seller currently has over a hundred retail stores across 34 states in the United States, as well as branches in Australia, Bahrain, China, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and Taiwan.