Canada Computers & Electronics is currently investigating a data breach impacting numerous individuals, leading to customer frustration regarding the company’s handling of the situation and communication. Eric Pimentel, an IT professional, took action by canceling his credit card after receiving a warning from the company, only to later find out he was not affected. Similarly, Brad Seward from Toronto also canceled his card following a notification from Canada Computers, only to be informed later that he was not impacted.
The retailer, headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, disclosed that around 1,284 customers were affected by the breach, which occurred due to unauthorized access to the system supporting their retail website. Canada Computers promptly took measures to contain the breach, informed the authorities, initiated an investigation, and notified affected customers on January 25. The breach has been reported to the federal privacy watchdog and the York Region police.
The company acknowledged that there was confusion in their messaging, with some customers receiving incorrect notifications about being affected. Canada Computers clarified that the breach specifically targeted customers who made purchases as “guests” on the website and entered personal information between December 29 and January 22. Despite the company’s explanation, Pimentel and Seward, along with other customers, expressed unease about the situation and called for more transparency from a retailer of Canada Computers’ scale.
Cybersecurity experts, including Terry Cutler from Cyology Labs and John Bruggeman from OnX, highlighted that data breaches like this can go undetected for extended periods. They emphasized the importance of safeguarding personal and financial information, as stolen data can be exploited by cybercriminals long after the initial breach. In response, Canada Computers has offered affected customers guidance on protecting their information, along with two years of credit monitoring and identity theft protection.