Hackers Breach McDonald’s Customer Database

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) has been hacked, potentially putting some customer information in unwanted hands.

The Oak Brook, Ill-based restaurant chain said late Monday there may have been potential access to customer data by an unauthorized third party.

It all started when McDonald’s asked long-time business partner Arc Worldwide to develop and coordinate the distribution of promotional emails. Arc, subsequently, hired an email service provider to supervise and manage the email database.

The third-party has since advised that its computer systems were recently accessed and that information, including names, mobile phone numbers, postal addresses and email addresses, general information given when signing up for online promotions or website subscriptions, may have landed in unauthorized hands.

Financially sensitive information such as social security and credit card numbers were not accessed.

The nation’s leading burger maker said law enforcement officials have been notified and are investigating the incident. It is also working with Arc and their database management company to understand how the security was bypassed.

“We take the security of our customer information very seriously, and we will continue to cooperate with the investigation and with the appropriate authorities,” the company said in a statement.

The incident follows a wave of recent hackings among corporate websites, including several last week from anonymous WikiLeaks supporters and a breach of security to Genesco’s (NYSE:GCO) computer network on Friday.

McDonalds warned that customers should not respond to anyone claiming to be from McDonald’s asking for personal or financial information. Instead, they should contact the company immediately at its toll-free number 1-800-244-6227.