Malware found on Hyatt's payment - processing system

Hyatt Hotels has requested its customers to review their payment card account statements closely, after it detected malware on the computers that run its payment-processing systems at locations it manages.  It has raising the possibility that hackers may have obtained credit card numbers or other sensitive information. The company has however said it has taken measures to counteract the breach, but didn't reveal the extent of the damage.

According to ABC News, Hyatt spokeswoman Stephanie Sheppard said in an email that the malware was discovered Nov. 30, but she didn't say why the company waited three weeks to report the discovery on Wednesday. The resort chain is suggesting customers to review their payment card statements, although it has not said if any customer data was stolen.

Sheppard told that "the investigation is ongoing, and we'll have more information once it is complete. Protecting our systems and customer information is critically important to Hyatt and something we take very seriously." He also said the malware was found on computers that process payments for the 318 hotels that Hyatt manages.

Another spokesperson told that the malware targeted information stored on the payment cards, including cardholder names, payment card numbers, internal verification codes and expiration dates and only affected Hyatt-managed properties, not franchise locations.

Hyatt said it had taken measures to "strengthen" the security of its systems and customers could feel safe to use payment cards in Hyatt hotels worldwide.

Hyatt is the latest in a number of companies in the hospitality industry, including Hilton Worldwide, Mandarin Oriental and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide that were affected by hacker attacks. A number of retailers like Target also had their point-of-sale systems targeted.

According to Fox Business, Donald Trump's string of luxury hotel properties, Trump Hotel Collection, has also confirmed the possibility of a data security incident.

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Hyatt, which is controlled by the billionaire Pritzker family said it had hired third-party cyber security experts to investigate the incident, and has taken steps to increase security on its computer systems. More information for customers who think they may be affected by this breach can be found at Hyatt.com.

The Chicago-based company owns, manages or franchises a portfolio of 627 properties in 52 countries. You should check your bank statements for any unexpected transactions, if you recently stayed at a Hyatt hotel. You  are free to contact Hyatt if they have any questions concerning the breach.