Marriott says Starwood hacked\, affecting 500 million guests

Marriott says Starwood hacked, affecting 500 million guests

Credit card numbers and expirations dates of some guests may have been taken

Marriott has set up a website and call centre for anyone who thinks that they are at risk. Photo: Bloomberg
Marriott has set up a website and call centre for anyone who thinks that they are at risk. Photo: Bloomberg

Bethesda, United States: The information of as many as 500 million people staying at Starwood hotels has been compromised and Marriott says it’s uncovered unauthorized access that’s been taking place within its Starwood network since 2014.

The company said on Friday that credit card numbers and expirations dates of some guests may have been taken.

Marriott said that there was a breach of its database in September, which had guest information related to reservations at Starwood properties on or before September 10.

Marriott discovered through the investigation that someone copied and encrypted guest information, and was trying to remove it.

Marriott has set up a website and call centre for anyone who thinks that they are at risk, and on Friday will begin sending emails to those affected.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.