US retailer , Walmart , has confirmed that it suffered a data breach . This is yet another example of cyber-criminals using technology to tamper with card readers to steal sensitive data, a process which often takes just moments. This follows reports that a number of its customers had their payment cards compromised and their accounts emptied . It appears that one store was affected in either March or April , with the suspects believed to have placed overlay devices on credit card readers at the checkouts . In cases like these , criminals typically target self - checkout lanes because they are not actively monitored . The situation underlines the need for the US to move away from using payment cards with magnetic stripe data and more towards chip - based cards .
US retailer , Walmart , has confirmed that it suffered a data breach . This follows reports that a number of its customers had their payment cards compromised and their accounts emptied . It appears that one store was affected in either March or April , with the suspects believed to have placed overlay devices on credit card readers at the checkouts . In cases like these , criminals typically target self - checkout lanes because they are not actively monitored . The situation underlines the need for the US to move away from using payment cards with magnetic stripe data and more towards chip - based cards .