Petco has revealed a data breach affecting some of its customers, according to a filing with California’s attorney general. The company said the incident was caused by a software setting that inadvertently made certain files accessible online. Petco discovered the issue internally and took immediate steps to remove the files and correct the problem.
The notification sent to affected customers does not detail what types of personal information were exposed. A company spokesperson confirmed that affected individuals have been provided with additional information, but did not disclose the number of people impacted or the specific data involved. California law requires companies to report breaches affecting 500 or more residents, indicating at least that many Californians were affected. Notifications have also been sent to customers in Massachusetts and three individuals in Montana. Petco is offering free credit and identity monitoring to those impacted and has implemented additional security measures to prevent future incidents.