Chick-fil-A has confirmed that customer accounts (also known as “Chick-fil-A One” accounts) were breached in a months-long credential stuffing attack, allowing threat actors to use stored rewards balances and access personal information.
In January, BleepingComputer and other cyber news outlets reported that Chick-fil-A had begun investigating what it described as “suspicious activity” on customers’ accounts. At the time, Chick-fil-A set up a support page with information on what customers should do if they detect suspicious activity on their accounts.
In a statement released on February 12, 2023, Chick-fil-A said that it had “detected suspicious activity on some customer accounts” and that it was “committed to protecting customers’ data.” The company said that it had “launched an investigation and taken steps to secure affected accounts.”
Chick-fil-A did not provide any details about the number of accounts that were affected or the extent of the damage caused by the attack. However, the company said that it had “reset passwords for all affected accounts and removed any stored payment information.” Chick-fil-A also said that it had “restored Chick-fil-A One account balances and added rewards to impacted accounts as a way of apologizing.”
Credential stuffing attack to blame for Chick-fil-A account hack
The company said that it was “working with law enforcement to investigate the incident” and that it “urges customers to be vigilant about their online security.” Chick-fil-A also said that it “will continue to monitor the situation and take additional steps to protect customers’ data.”
Credential stuffing is a type of cyberattack that involves using stolen credentials, such as email addresses and passwords, to gain access to online accounts. Attackers typically obtain these credentials through data breaches or other means. Once they have obtained the credentials, they can use them to log in to online accounts and steal personal information or make fraudulent transactions.
Credential stuffing is a serious threat to online security. It can result in identity theft, financial fraud, and other crimes. If you believe that your account may have been compromised, you should change your password and contact the company that operates the account. You should also be careful about sharing your personal information online and make sure that you use strong passwords.
How to protect yourself from a credential stuffing attack
Here are some tips to protect yourself from credential stuffing:
- Use strong passwords. Your passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Do not reuse passwords. Use a different password for each online account.
- Enable two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password.
- Be careful about sharing your personal information online. Do not share your social security number, date of birth, or other sensitive information online.
- Install antivirus software. Antivirus software can help to protect your computer from malware, which can be used to steal your personal information.
- Keep your software up to date. Outdated software can contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
- Be aware of phishing scams. Phishing scams are emails that appear to be from legitimate companies but are actually designed to steal your personal information. Do not click on links or open attachments in emails from senders that you do not recognize.
- Be careful about what you download. Only download files from trusted sources.
- Be careful about what you share on social media. Do not share your personal information on social media, such as your address or phone number.
- Be vigilant about your online security. Keep an eye on your online accounts and be on the lookout for any suspicious activity.
