Secret Service Investigates Treasure Island After Fraud Outbreak

U.S. Secret Service investigators have their eyes on a local grocery store chain after area police traced 22 cases of identity theft back to one of the its suburban locations.

Representatives with Treasure Island Foods told Patch that all 22 cases of fraud have been linked to their Wilmette store at 911 Ridge Road. However, officials are investigating the seven other Chicago area locations in an effort to identify similar security breaches.

Treasure Island has one location at 3460 N. Broadway in East Lake View, and two others at 2121 N. Clybourn Ave. and 1631 N. Wells Ave. in Lincoln Park.

"Treasure Island Foods deeply regrets any inconvenience to our customers," a statement from Treasure Island says. "Credit card companies have recently advised that computer hackers are targeting grocery merchants. We are cooperating 100 percent with the U.S. Secret Service and the Wilmette Police Department in the investigation of what appears to be an international hacking conspiracy."

The statement also notes that Treasure Island owners are going to great lengths to ensure shoppers' identity protection.

"Computer hacking and identity theft have become unwelcome parts of contemporary life for both merchants and their customers," the statement says. "Treasure Island will continue to comply with the highest standards of data system security to protect our customers, ourselves and the communities we have proudly served for 50 years."

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Fradulent use of the accounts has mostly occurred within U.S. borders. Seven incidents were reported in Texas, one in Missouri, one in South Africa and two in Chicago. They all occurred between March 1 and April 19, officials have said. 

Six identity theft cases linked to Texas occurred within the same time frame but had not yet been traced to a suspected point of theft as of Monday.

Residents who believe they were a victim of fraud should contact the Wilmette Police Department immediately, as the police are still taking reports and helping residents document the fraud for insurance and bank purposes.

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