Save-On-Foods loyalty program members had personal information accessed in cybersecurity breach

CBC reports that Save-On-Foods says it discovered unauthorized activity on one of its servers on Oct. 13, which was "quickly contained" before launching an investigation with a cybersecurity expert.[1]CBC says an email was then sent out to More Rewards customers Friday.[1]According to CBC, customers who received an email were told that their names and — if provided — addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and dates of birth were accessed.[1] Global News reports the company said that "no other personal information (e.g., passwords, credit card data, or transaction history) was accessed"[2].Global News reports that the Pattison Food Group operates the More Rewards loyalty program through its Save-On-Foods, Buy-Low Foods, PriceSmart Foods and Nesters stores.[2]According to Global News, the Pattison Food Group did not say how many customers were affected.[2]CBC News says it asked Save-On-Foods how many customers were affected but did not receive a number by deadline.[1]The Times Colonist reports that Save-On-Foods said: "We take our responsibility to protect personal information seriously and regret any inconvenience this may cause."[3]In an email to CBC News, Save-On-Foods said it notified the appropriate authorities and privacy regulators.[1]CBC reports that the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security says cybercriminals can use personal information to make phishing attacks more convincing.[1]Richard Frank, director of Simon Fraser University's international cybercrime centre, told CBC News that "Most of these break-ins are opportunistic."[1]