40,000 warned over online short break data breach

More than 40,000 customers have been warned to check their credit cards and bank accounts for unauthorised transactions as an online hotel booking operator investigates a security breach.

Around 38,000 people who booked short breaks promoted by SuperValu supermarkets, a further 4,000 who availed of similar offers through Axa Insurance, plus 50 Stena Line customers may have had their card numbers and personal details accessed in a hacking attack.

Loyaltybuild, the Co Clare-based company that operates the schemes, said it held credit card details in encrypted form as a security measure and so far there were no signs of any information being extracted or misused, but it added the investigation would take several more days.