Best Western Hotel Database Hacked - 8 Million at Risk of ID Theft

A hacker in India compromised Best Western Hotel Group’s database and made off with the personal information of everyone who has stayed at the chain over the past year.

The information lost includes home addresses, phone numbers and credit card details, among other information.

Investigators believe that the information obtained from the breach was sold on an underground network that is controlled by the Russian Mafia.

The information is believed to be valued at over $5 billion.

Best Western is refuting the allegations of hacking, and says the reports of a security breach are unsubstantiated, and that at this time, there is no need for widespread concern.

In a notice posted on the company’s Web site, Best Western says, “Claims reported about our Central Reservations customer records are not accurate. We at Best Western take the confidentiality of our customers’ personal information very seriously. The Sunday Herald reporter brought to our attention the possible compromise of a select portion of data at a single hotel in Germany; we investigated immediately and provided commentary.”