Travelodge investigates customer security breach

The firm wrote to customers to warn them not to respond to the emails, which claimed to offer job opportunities.

Details of how hackers gained access to Travelodge customer data were not immediately available.

“Please be assured, we have not sold any customer data and no financial information has been compromised,” said Guy Parsons, Travelodge’s chief executive.

“The safety and security of your personal information is of the upmost importance to us and as a result we are currently conducting a comprehensive investigation into this issue.”

There was also scant information in the letter about what data apart from email addresses could have been accessed. Travelodge offered assurances it complies with security industry encryption standards to store financial data, however. It promised to update customers on the progress of its investigation. Customers suspected the breach yesterday after discovering that email addresses that had only ever been used to register with Travelodge had received spam.
“Good day. Don't miss exciting career opening. The company is seeking for self-motivated people in United Kingdom to help us spread out our activity in the UK area," the emails said. Travelodge said a "small number" of customers received them.
Security experts said the emails might be an attempt to trick more personal data from recipients in order to commit financial fraud, a type of online scam known as phishing.
Travelodge operates more than 400 hotels nationwide and says that nine million people stayed in its 28,500 rooms last year.