SECURITY NEWS: Hackers disrupt Western Union's online business

By Staff, AnchorDesk, ZDNet
September 10, 2000 4:30 PM ET - Copyright © ZDNet

Western Union discovered on Friday that its site's security had been compromised by hackers, according to the Associated Press.

As of midday Sunday the site was still not operational, displaying a message that the site was "temporarily out of service."

Western Union on Sunday said hackers made electronic copies of the credit and debit card information of 15,700 consumers who transferred money on the company's Web site, which was left unprotected while undergoing maintenance, the AP reported.

The company began notifying affected customers via telephone and e-mail over the weekend and by late Sunday had informed Visa and MasterCard about which of its cardholders had been affected, AP said.