Cyber attack strikes Raley’s grocery chain

A major Northern California grocery store chain is urging customers to check their credit card and bank statements after the chain’s computers appeared to have been hit in a cyber attack.

Officials at Raley’s said Thursday a portion of the grocer’s computer network was targeted in what they’re describing as a “complex, criminal, cyber attack.”

The company says it is trying to determine if customer credit and debit card information was obtained in the attack. So far, Raley’s says it hasn’t found any unauthorized access to credit card data, but officials are still investigating.

Raley’s does not believe any debit PINs were obtained in the attack.

Despite the warning to customers, officials at the chain say they are confident payment cards can still be safely used in its stores.  Raley’s president and CEO Mike Teel said in a statement that the grocer is taking steps to increase its computer security:

“We take protecting our customers’ privacy seriously and sincerely regret any inconvenience that the attack on our network may have caused. We are working around-the-clock to gather details to determine the extent of any possible compromise of customer information.”

Raley’s notes that it does not collect Social Security numbers or drivers license information from customers.

Based in West Sacramento, Raley’s owns 128 stores in California and Nevada operating under the Raley’s name, as well as Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill supermarkets and  Food Source stores.

Most of the Nob Hill stores are located in the Bay Area and along the Central Coast, while the Food Source stores are in Hayward, the Sacramento area and Nevada.