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Capitol Hill credit card fraud wave tied to Broadway Grill

The investigation into more than 100 reported cases of credit card fraud across Capitol Hill has identified a Broadway restaurant as one “point of interest.” Like the victims who have had their bank and credit accounts hit for fraudulent charges in the thousands of dollars, Capitol Hill’s Broadway Grill is also a victim in this wave as personal and business accounts related to the restaurant have been compromised along with accounts of a not-yet-known number of customers who ate and drank at the popular eatery.

We received the following statement from one of the partners behind the Broadway Grill, Matthew Walsh:

We take this issue very seriously and are working with both the Seattle Police Department as well as the Secret Service to find the people who have done this to everyone and have them stopped.


We have gone above and beyond to make sure that our network is completely secure and that this sort of thing can’t happen to any of our customers, there has been no decline in credit/debit card use because of our actions to ensure safety. Not only were our personal accounts compromised but our business savings and operating accounts have also been compromised.

We are a tiny little company trying to manage this huge monster of a restaurant and for someone to swoop in and try to completely wipe our accounts is a really scary thing. I am seriously worried about the future of our business without the support of our community. We have been growing by leaps and bounds since I took over in June, not only in our new menu and food quality but also in our day to day operation. It is my hope that we have touched enough lives over the years to be able to count on our beloved customers for their support and continued patronage in this difficult time.

We do not know yet if Broadway Grill represents the only breached business on the Hill or if investigators have identified others in the area. On Monday, CHS reported that the Secret Service’s Electronic Crimes Task Force had identified and “reduced” the threat  from what the lead agent called a “point of interest” in the Capitol Hill area.

We have checked with Kroger, the parent company for QFC, about any involvement in the investigation. A QFC spokesperson told CHS he ws not aware of any contact between investigators and either of the Broadway stores. “To my knowledge, we have not been contacted by police. When we are, we will work with them,” the spokesperson said earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the situation is widespread enough and people are so wary that large area institutions are dealing with relatively sizable numbers of victims. We talked to Seattle University about a a growing number of Seattle University students and employees who have experience problems with financial accounts in recent days. But Mike Sletten director of public safety for the campus, told us that the cases he is aware of all appear to be part of the Capitol Hill wave. “They all reflect that Capitol Hill theme,” Sletten said.

Investigators will not say how the account information was breached so it is not yet clear what role Broadway Grill’s point of sale technology played in the crimes. We contacted the Grill’s POS service provider, Action Systems, Inc. in Silver Spring, Maryland. While they confirmed Broadway Grill’s involvement in the investigation via phone, their statement sent to us in e-mail does not specify if ASI has been contacted by investigators. Here’s the brief sent to us by ASI director of sales and marketing Craig Bednarovsky:

Since the release of Restaurant Manager™ v15.1 in 2006, all software designed by ASI has been certified as fully compliant with the Data Security Standards (DSS) of the Payment Card Industry (PCI) and has been listed on the official website of the payment card industry:

https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/approved_companies_providers/vpa_agreement.php

Restaurants using Restaurant Manager v15.0 or earlier have been notified repeatedly that they must upgrade to a more current version of the software before they will be able to operate as a PCI Compliant business.

It is the restaurant’s responsibility to act on these repeated warnings.

It is also important to note there are many requirements for PCI compliance that do not relate at all to point of sale software. Restaurants need to adhere to all PCI requirements in order to ensure the protection of sensitive consumer information.

We’ve asked ASI for clarification about their involvement in the investigation and for information on any other Seattle-area businesses they provide services for.

While her company is not the provider for the Broadway Grill, Jeanie Walker, representative for Seattle-based POS provider Dinerware, tells CHS that breaches like this can happen from the technology side of the process or from the restaurant’s own practices involving payment systems. Walker also said her company has not been contacted by investigators in the Capitol Hill case.

“There are 12 steps to being compliant,” Walker said. “Five are in software, seven are on restaurant side.”

Walker said that holes on the restaurant side can range from failing to make the wi-fi isolated and secure on a separate network from the point of sale system to storing credit card information incorrectly.

We reported on new ownership for the longtime Broadway food and drink provider this June. Matthew Walsh, a onetime Grill server, and CJ Saretto took over the 20-year-old restaurant this summer.

The software side can definitely break down, too. In this article about the Capitol Hill “fraud spree” on a banking security industry site, one security expert says Seattle’s wave has the earmarks of a software hack:

One security expert says fraudster gangs are very often based in a certain city and target merchants in their own backyards, usually in collusion with an employee who skims the cards.

“What’s unusual here is that multiple merchants were compromised, meaning that collusion is unlikely, and, therefore, skimming is also unlikely,” says Tom Wills, a senior fraud analyst at Javelin Research. While details are still not known, Wills speculates that a local Seattle-based gang may have performed a “Gonzalez-style” point-of-sale hack, referring to Albert Gonzalez, the masterminded behind the Heartland Payment Systems breach (among others).

Branden Williams, director of the Security Consulting Practice at RSA, the security division of EMC, says it appears this fraud is “indicative of the smash-and-grab-type mentality,” during which the objective is to net the largest amount of money in the quickest timeframe, “and get out before you leave too many clues about who you are.”

While the number of reports made around Capitol Hill seems to be massive in scale, there are examples of a similar sized waves being tied to a single restaurant. In September, investigators determined that hundreds of credit card fraud cases were tied to the computer system at one Roseville, California restaurant:

Hundreds of local cases in which thieves have collected credit-card numbers and used them to fraudulently make purchases have been traced to customers who frequented one Roseville restaurant, police said today.

Roseville police said that hundreds of credit-card numbers were compromised at Paul Martin’s American Bistro.

Detectives believe that the problem is isolated to computer systems at the restaurant’s site, 1455 Eureka Road, and “did not involve the external financial services network or any third-party data processing service,” according to a police news release.

The cyber criminals who perpetrated the fraudulent credit-card activity are not known and could be operating anywhere in the world, police said.

The California restaurant remains open after bringing in a security consultant to make sure their business was operating safely.

For now, Broadway Grill stands by itself as the only Capitol Hill business we have connected to the credit card problems. Is it alone on the Hill and in the city in being hit with this kind of threat? Unlikely. Given the mechanics of these crimes, there are other Broadway Grills out there in Seattle and beyond right now. Capitol Hill, as usual, leads the way. It seem likely others won’t be far behind.

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yancy
yancy
13 years ago

My wife’s card was hit, and we haven’t been to Broadway Grill in months…

vics
vics
13 years ago

– note that the article points out Broadway Grill as ONE point of interest, not the only! Since this issue is so widespread i’m assuming there’s likely a few places involved.

yancy
yancy
13 years ago

Yes, I hesitated before posting, but thought I’d say something to emphasize the “other places too” angle…

Tom
Tom
13 years ago

This article is an interesting read. What I saw overall was the POS and software outfits all pointing the fingers at each other and the restaurant, yet the restaurant was hit because of inadequacies(sp?) in the software and processing services they were buying from these outfits.

I’m just glad I use cash as often anytime I go out to eat. Makes splitting the bill up easier too!

Sounds like we all need to patronize the Grill more now with cash so they can overcome the financial impact of this.

Kenny
Kenny
13 years ago

I haven’t been to the Grill in ages and my card got hit for $300 at a Target in Dallas so I’m sure they aren’t the only one who got compromised. My guess, at least in my circumstance, is either QFC or the 76 on Broadway as those are the only two places I ever use my card at.

etaoin shrdlu
etaoin shrdlu
13 years ago

Very informative and interesting. I really appreciate your coverage of this story.

Quail
Quail
13 years ago

We go almost every week and will continue going

cash or card – THEY won’t stop us!

jseattle
jseattle
13 years ago

I think supporting them right now is a great idea. And, yeah, cash is good for everybody.

Fraud victim
Fraud victim
13 years ago

Didn’t go to Broadway Grill (used card @ Smoke Stop, Charlies & QFC 10/29) and card was used at what appears to be clothing companies in Taichung Taiwan (WeiShiau & Hang Ten) & Tokyo Japan (Uniqlo).

ProstSeattle
ProstSeattle
13 years ago

Of course, many don’t feel comfortable walking around with cash on Broadway, either.

Ned
Ned
13 years ago

– Actually, it’s unknown how the restaurant was hit. POS software has to go through a pretty rigorous process to pass PCI certification, it’s just as likely they either hadn’t upgraded to a compliant version, or they left their network unprotected.

J
J
13 years ago

Smoke Stop and Charlies both most likely use the same credit processing company, and I’d lay odds they also use clearwire as their ISP, and transmitted auth data over an insecure network. All it takes is someone within wireless distance to sniff that out.

QFC is a major corporation who has entire departments of hundreds of people who’s job it is to specifically prevent this kind of security breach.

It’s the little business that knows dick about wireless encryption that you need to be pointing your finger at.

RJB
RJB
13 years ago

Nothing will stop me from going to the Grill on Broadway. Been going there for 13 years and it looks like Matthew and CJ and their staff needs the communities support now more than ever. Fraud can happen at your own home…it can happen ANYWHERE!! Hope this gets solved soon. Sorry to everone who has been effected.

Jordan
Jordan
13 years ago

Same story here. Haven’t been to Broadway Grill in 6+ months, but I got hit with at least 400$ in charges at a Target in Oklahoma City, OK. I also go to the QFC

theneil
theneil
13 years ago

The Broadway Grill’s waitstaff have always had a reputation for being slow and indifferent- it was what they were best known for. Now they’re skimming cc numbers too?

They need to just go out of business soon so a team with some integrity can take that spot . There are so many talented chefs and restaurateurs with great menus (instead of generic greasy slop) and who treat their employees and customers with respect. That street deserves better.

tiffany98122
tiffany98122
13 years ago

what makes you think that it’s possible to sniff clearwire? you shouldn’t repeat FUD like that unless you have first hand knowlegde that it’s possible. now sniffing the traffic between an open wifi router provided by clear, and the terminal client, that’s easy to do. but that is easily avoided by encrypting the network.

fraud victim
fraud victim
13 years ago

people shouldn’t jump to conclusions. i am also a victim of this recent cc crime spree. we should let the pro’s handle the situation. although i have been to both qfc and bway grill, i’m not holding anyone accountable until this is investigated. these are the risks everyone takes when they have a portable money card.

with that, im still gonna shop, eat, and live my life without fear. ill be a bit more careful and watchful, though.

vics
vics
13 years ago

It’s irresponsible to immediately start whistleblowing and pointing fingers before we know all the facts – i didn’t see anywhere where skimming / employees of the Broadway Grill were indicated as culprits, so instead of mudslinging before the dust has settled shouldn’t we just be rational and exercise some common sense for now by carrying cash and keeping an eye on our accounts?

and NO I don’t work for the restaurant nor do I dine there. Just trying to discourage uninformed finger pointing!

Fraud victim
Fraud victim
13 years ago

try to stay on topic…not about your preference for food or bad waiter service.

j
j
13 years ago

Because I’m a network engineer.

jseattle
jseattle
13 years ago

I’ve talked to Charlie’s. They use a different service.

anthony
anthony
13 years ago

Excuse my ignorance here, but does this fraud include both credit cards and debit cards? My understanding is that a credit-cardholder’s liability is max $50; but with debit cards it’s potentially all the cash in their acct. Is this correct?

“The Broadway Grill’s waitstaff have always had a reputation for being slow and indifferent- it was what they were best known for.”

Don’t know about the Bway Grill, but that sure describes the Sunlight Cafe…

Kei
Kei
13 years ago

I’m pretty sure i used my card here a couple month ago and I had fraudulent charges! They must have been collecting these credit card numbers for months!

YeslerWay
13 years ago

Concur that card hit in our case was last used at Broadway Grill in September, so likely data was collected for some period before ID theft / fraud occurred in our case.

rob
rob
13 years ago

Some of my friends experienced this problem. Although I very frequently use a credit card in all the same locations, I’ve not had problems. I wonder if it is limited to Visa/Master card networks. Mine happens to be American Express (possibly uses a different network for transactions?).

A
A
13 years ago

I think it is possible, if they sat on the information for a while. I haven’t been to here in a couple of months (maybe even longer), and my card was hit. However, it may have been a number of places on the hill…

tiffany98122
tiffany98122
13 years ago

i think you are a network engineer that does not understand the differences between a network such as clearwire, and a wifi network then. that’s a ridiculous thing to say.

Jake
Jake
13 years ago

I had one credit card for only a month, mid-June 2010 to mid-July 2010, and the card it replaced I had had since about June 2009. BOTH were hit in this fraud wave (which I’m assuming they’re connected given that I got fraud calls on both cards last week, at the same time that everyone else started getting calls), and the Broadway Grill is my favorite place to eat when I’m wandering around the hill with friends.

My new post-July 2010 card didn’t get hit, though? Course, there was a period of time where I wasn’t on the hill too much this summer. But still, having that one credit card for as short of a period of time as I did does seem to help frame in the “when” for the breach…?

Victim of over $4200
Victim of over $4200
13 years ago

I haven’t been to the Broadway Bar and Grill in well over a year. I was also in Europe for most of October. The only place I used my debit card on the hill recently was QFC! My advice is to use credit cards whenever possible so your cash on hand won’t be compromised. It’s a lot easier to wait for a credit card balance to be rectified than your personal cash!

David
David
13 years ago

I have been going to The Broadway grill for the past 14yrs. I am not gonna stop going because of this. This restaurant has been a staple in the community for yrs and I hope that this does not mean the beginning of the end for this great business. The staff and the new owners are amazing. I will continue my patronage of this restaurant because it would be a shame to see it fail.

Meghan
Meghan
13 years ago

I have used my card at the Grill many times and I still will. It was NOT the only place hit by these thieves. Stuff happens no matter what precautions are taken. It’s not the business fault that they are victims, it’s the thieve’s fault. I hope that everyone remembers that. I will continue to eat at the Broadway Grill. The food is AMAZING.

Lauaghablr
Lauaghablr
13 years ago

Look at who recently quit the Broadway grill….or look to the previous owner who may have taken the transaction database from back for however long it was stored for.

i'm not convinced
i'm not convinced
13 years ago

i understand (anecdotally) that many of the incidents of fraud involved duplicates of cards, used as debit. broadway grill, to the best of my knowledge, does not even use a debit number keypad. my money is still on qfc, because of the number of people affected.

jude
jude
13 years ago

But maybe your wife went without you :)

Is it not possible that any card used on the point of sale system could be accessed and fraud is happening to cards that 1, haven’t yet expire and 2, were in local zip codes?

be smart
be smart
13 years ago

good advice, but for those who do not have a credit card, leave the bulk of your money in savings. transfer into checking as needed. there is a limit (can’t remember how many) to the number of times you can do a transfer online, as per federal law. but you can do it any number of times at an atm, i am pretty sure.

misha
misha
13 years ago

haven’t been to B’way Grill in many months (spring2010? Maybe late winter 2010?, will remember to try it now under new owner) and paid cash when I did, so the breach of my account tied to the recent spate on the Hill would seem to indicate it was multiple businesses . . .I don’t believe Kroger would admit it if they were compromised, and QFC is the only place I use my debit with regularity, occassionally Trader Joes, most other places, cash . . .

jude
jude
13 years ago

Even when the owner SAYS it was his restaurant, you can’t believe it?

Look what happened in Roseville. It’s probable that the Broadway Grill is the only source of this.

I also think it’s nuts to think QFC would lie about what would instantly become public information if anybody is arrested.

tiffany98122
tiffany98122
13 years ago

and to follow up, i am not saying that it’s impossible to sniff wimax, but the implication that it’s trivial to crack and sniff clearwire is wrong. if you were just saying that these businesses may be sending wifi traffic unencrypted then yeah i agree, that happens all too often.

jude
jude
13 years ago

You never used a card at Broadway Grill even one single time? Are you 100% certain?

jude
jude
13 years ago

I don’t want Broadway Grill to go out of business but it’s weird to read people’s denial about the situation. I do plan to make a point of drinking a beer there to support. They got ripped off also.

Steve C.
Steve C.
13 years ago

There doesn’t have to be an electronic security break-in to do this. The weak link in this sort of thing is the person you hand your card to, or the person he/she hands it to. In a high-volume business like that, one person strategically placed, can skim a LOT of card numbers, and apparently that person also had access to the business’ cards. Where the “gang” comes in is in creating cards with those numbers with which they can then flood area businesses with.

jude
jude
13 years ago

Honestly you should step forward and not make the Broadway Grill take the heat alone.

PT
PT
13 years ago

My accounts were compromised this morning. I had, among others, liquor store charges from Louisville (as if). I haven’t been to Broadway Grill since 2009.

Brando
Brando
13 years ago

I think the headline of this blog post is a little misleading. I have to agree with other commenters, as well as the text of the article itself, that the Grill is unlikely to be the only point of interest.

We need to make sure everyone continues to support the Grill, especially now. They are victims as well here, so show some love!

The Broadway Grill is a a Capitol Hill institution and one of the many small businesses that make Capitol Hill unique and wonderful.

YeslerWay
13 years ago

The PIN number is not needed if the debit card is also a Visa or MasterCard debit card — it can be run as a credit card without the PIN being needed. That is how a card is ran if you hand it to a waitperson at a restaurant and they come back with the slip you sign. Presumably that is how the people that are actually using the cards with duplicated information are doing it — they are running them as credit cards at Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, overseas, etc.

Aly
Aly
13 years ago

I haven’t been there in maybe 2 months, but it is my favorite. my information was compromised, so if they’ve been holding onto the info it makes sense!

Brando
Brando
13 years ago

@jude

I think you meant “possible”, not “probable”.

Chris Wells
Chris Wells
13 years ago

This article is poorly titled. The Broadway Grill was ALSO a victim of this scam and not the cause. The new owners of the Grill are very good friends of mine and they too have been affected in their personal and business lives by this scam. They are trying very hard to make the Broadway Grill an icon on Capitol Hill by all they have done since taking over ownership, including a new menu and remolding. Change comes slowly and I hope that people see through this scam and what this article is trying to imply. The Broadway Grill is here to serve the communities of Capitol Hill and Seattle and we should support them not point blame without due cause. If you don’t already have plans this evening stop in for dinner and show them and the rest of the community that you support them.

Wendy
Wendy
13 years ago

So the only time I EVER ate at The Broadway Grill was Feb. 14, 2010, which the charge posted to my bank account on 3/15 – so my question is have the crooks been getting this information since then or WHY WAS THE RESTAURANT storing my information all these months????

RJB
RJB
13 years ago

Ok folks….it was not employees, it was not the previous owner….it was a-holes skimming numbers. Funny how no one is stating they are showing fraud charges from anywhere near Broadway or even Washington State. I do not work for the Grill but do love it like my own so please…in fact, to show my support I am heading over from West Seattle. And for the lovely person who had such nice things to say….theneil, have you been to the Grill lately?

RJB
RJB
13 years ago

Well put Chris!!!

Wendy
Wendy
13 years ago

I meant March 14, 2010.

And I am not against going to Broadway grill, just think by giving dates it may show how long ago this breach actually happened.

Use cash is my new motto.

ticked off critter
ticked off critter
13 years ago

Agreed. I had a card hit that was issued in MAY and was NEVER used at the Grill. Folks, it’s not the Grill. They’re a victim in this along with the rest of us.

tom
tom
13 years ago

and use cash. NOT because of the issue, but because if you pay with the good old-fashioned cash, there’s no merchant fees eating into the money the Grill needs for their business.

Eric
Eric
13 years ago

I am glad this is really being investigated and that the secret service is involved. SPD usually just takes a report on this kind of thing and leaves it to the banks to write off. When my checkbook was stolen and over $1000.00 in fraudulant checksw were written the SPD detective never even called me back to tell me if he had any leads and I felt like they did not care one bit.

RC
RC
13 years ago

My card was hit and I wasn’t at the Broadway Grill. That’s pretty harsh to blame a restaurant when it’s not true. I hope this doesn’t hurt their business. They are a big supporter of the community.

Sheri
Sheri
13 years ago

I went to the Broadway Grill on June 10. I have been hit too. Since there is a link, I will turn over to the Seattle PD. If you been a victim and haven’t contact the police yet, I encourage you to do so.

Louise Chernin
Louise Chernin
13 years ago

Credit card fraud on Capitol Hill is widespread and not confined to any one business. Several of our staff and others we know have recently had their credit card number used fraudulently and none of us had recently been to the Broadway Grill. Don’t think avoiding any one business will help you avoid card theft. We all need to be vigilant wherever we use our cards. We all owe Broadway Grill a huge thank you for their prompt and thoughtful response in reporting this and working hard to ensure their customers are safe. Louise

Ray
Ray
13 years ago

It is a shame that they are pointing fingers at the grill. This has happened all over the hill and the people responsible will be brought to justice. So please continue to support the grill and other CH businesses but be safe knowing that someone in our community is out there to take advantage of anyone they can with no remorse. Do your part and inform SPD if you suspect someone who might be capable of such a heinous crime.

Cole
Cole
13 years ago

I was a victim of this fraud and I have not been to the Broadway Grill in some time. Posts like these can ruin a reputation so quickly, was there any thought behind this honestly?

This business, along with all business on the hill are just trying to stay above water and this post is just flooding.

I respect this blog and read it often as I am a proud Capitol Hill resident. I hate that business names are being thrown under the bus by this blog that has always stated that they are sad when business on the hill close, but then do not see the link between a posting like this and a business going under?

We all just need to be careful. This has taught us that. We need to still look out for each other and our community…this community which includes our long time business friends.

Eleanor Lien
Eleanor Lien
13 years ago

I feel obligated to write a comment about this article being that I have dined there many times as well. But, it doesn’t not paint Broadway Grill in a positive light.

My debit card has been compromised twice in the last two months. The first time it was narrowed down to a few businesses in the Capitol Hill area, one of them being the Broadway Grill. The reason I can say this is that I was there with friends and different cards from different institutions were compromised and that was one of the points of commonality. Of course the banks did not do anything with the information that we gave them or, if they did, they didn’t communicate that to us.

The second time around (just a few days ago), I was more than certain it was now a Capitol Hill business. To add to this, I recently dined at Broadway Grill. I ended up tipping the server in cash but he charged a tip to my credit card anyway. I called and immediately had the money refunded, Matt was very kind on the phone but I found it extremely suspect that a veteran server made the error of taking cash and charging my card, taking into consideration everything else that had happened.

There are a number of people asking for mud not to be slung or fingers to be pointed but frankly, I had an instance where someone did indeed take additional money from me that worked at that restaurant (skimming). I will not be dining at this business in the near future, I cannot trust them with my debit card and frankly suspect that someone on the inside had something to do with it (not Matt per se but another employee).

I hope the manage to create a more secure environment for both customers and their day to day business operations. I’m sure with time they will manage to do that or fall by the side of the road.

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

I talked to a person who was an early victim of the fraud ring, and he ONLY uses his card at QFC, pays cash everywhere else, so someone is missing some important information for this investigation.

jseattle
jseattle
13 years ago

This was the hardest story I’ve ever had to deal with at CHS. I stand by my reporting. I also stand by Matt and the Grill. I have no information that they are anything but victims in this.

Uncle Vinny
Uncle Vinny
13 years ago

…for the first time in probably a year. Had a nice breakfast, and the woman who took my order was great. I was a little stunned that the menu said, “Everything on our menu is local, sustainable and organic”, or words to that effect. It was a pretty bold statement. I would love it if that was true, but it sounds like a stretch to me.

Anyway, my veggie burger was good. I’ll be going back. I use my BECU card all over the hill, and have yet to be hit by fraud. Lucky, I guess?

CJ
CJ
13 years ago

I, on the other hand, don’t feel the need to look out for a business that can’t be bothered to look out for its customers.

M. Wells
M. Wells
13 years ago

I had lunch at the Broadway Grill yesterday with the Executive Directors of the other neighborhood Business District Improvement Associations and an employee of the Office of Economic Development. The CH Chamber will be holding our November mixer at the Grill. I’m stopping by tonight for a cocktail. Or three.

Matthew Walsh has done great work in revitalizing the Grill – the new menu is great – the staff is happy – the place looks good. As Justin rightly states – the Grill is a victim in this case just as much as the folks who had compromised accounts. It is important to support business owners who give back to their community and put their blood, sweat and tears into the businessess that make this neighborhood great. I am certain that the Grill takes this issue seriously – just as I’m certain that our neighborhood will show them the support they deserve.

Show them some love. I know that I will.

Will Erdmann
Will Erdmann
13 years ago

This article implies that the CC fraud is directly resulted from the Grill. As an establishment that has been a staple for many residents throughout the years, and in addition to the amazing job that Matt and CJ have done since taking over, it’s almost insulting and discounts all the hard work that the Grill and it’s employees have put in.

Samantha
Samantha
13 years ago

We were there Sunday night. Today my debit card was declined. I called the bank and there was a hold put on it. I looked at my purchases and there was a $200 purchase from Office Depot that I did not make. Thankfully it was only that much…..

MJ
MJ
13 years ago

I live in SE Seattle and when I go to Capitol Hill, I have only used my AMEX at the QFC 1401 Broadway, near Pike. They have self checkout options. They also have a lot of unusual people. My gut tells me there is a connection with this supermarket. I am sure that the Feds are looking at all possibilities so register the type of credit card theft.

jseattle
jseattle
13 years ago

I was told by the Secret Service agents investigating this case that known issues were taken care of Friday night. So, it’s likely your card info was accessed before your most recent visit.

jseattle
jseattle
13 years ago

I think we’ve given this story a fair look from all sides. Nobody is saying the case is solved and please know that I’m continuing to report it. If I find other businesses involved, I will report those facts. If you have specific information, please send mail to [email protected]

jon
jon
13 years ago

The only time I used my card there was in January 2010 and my card was compromised. It is likely the data was old and the initial charges by “STD Solutions” were tests to see if the card was still active. If the info was still good then the more expensive transactions would appear shortly.

Julie Antos
Julie Antos
13 years ago

I agree, we need to support them, this is a great business that really speaks to the ‘old Broadway’ to me.

I have two debit cards with two banks- both were compromised but I’d use the replacements again at the BG without hesitation.

Chip D
Chip D
13 years ago

Please be careful with you accusatons. Having wored in the Restaurant industry for years, many as a manager, I cannot tell you how many times a customer would dine at our place and then get home, check their card and see that a slightly higher amount had been charged to thier card and then call to complain. This is because they do not understand how the transaction takes place. When you charge say $20 for dinner, the software runs the card for an amount in excess of $20, say $25 to cover the tip. Later, when the final transaction is batched to the bank, the correct amount goes in, but sometimes it is a day or two before it shows on the statement. We were constantly being accused of stealing..and it was never true.

Alan
Alan
13 years ago

I was there on 9/6 and that card was compromised a couple weeks ago… it’s only use in recent months was that trip to Seattle…

William
William
13 years ago

I love Broadway Grill and I stand by them as they were a victim as well

Will Erdmann
Will Erdmann
13 years ago

No one is questioning the article, and you’ve made it VERY clear that it’s one point of interest in the investigation.

YOUR TITLE PUTS BLAME ON THE GRILL! IT IMPLIES THAT THE GRILL IS AT FAULT.

I’ve followed CHS for a long time, and am a supporter of the blog, but you also need to understand in the age of Facebook when people only read titles of articles as part of skimming through (as many people do), your title is very damaging. Please reconsider your title to this article in an update, and I truly feel a public apology is necessary for any misconstrued intent.

M.B.
M.B.
13 years ago

Do you really think the Broadway Grill would be able to conduct business as usual if they were the sole root of this fraud? They
proudly have their doors wide open and continue to serve the CH
community as they have done for decades! Think critically about
what you read and how you comment. YOU COULD PUT A SMALL BUSINESS..
OUT OF BUSINESS! This restaurant is a home away from home for many. Please reserve harsh criticism until details from the investigation are made public.
made public.

News
News
13 years ago

Other news outlets are reporting that it is “tied” to the grill. There is nothing wrong with reporting that.

Joel
Joel
13 years ago

“They also have a lot of unusual people”.
Huh?

News
News
13 years ago

The title is fine. The reporting is fine. People need to have access to the information.

WE
WE
13 years ago

The title is NOT fine. You have hundreds of people reading this on capitol hill and all over, on top of that, it’s becoming big news.

You think you would have this much outcry from the community if it was fine? I dunno, I just feel like you have a personal vendetta against the grill.

birke
birke
13 years ago

I haven’t been ripped off yet but I’d hate to think this news wouldn’t be reported just because it might hurt a business.

dee
dee
13 years ago

you do not need a pin # to use a debit card. You can use it as credit. So if someone gets your # they will not need your pin #. This is why credit cards are safer.

v
v
13 years ago

A lot of people on this site have been trying to figure out which business they used their card at – causing their accounts to be wiped out…this doesn’t matter. They didn’t do it at a point of sale (in a business). The culprits hit us through hacking the internet. Yes we all used our cards at various businesses, but when those businesses sent the info to the banks each night the hackers got the information then, not in any store, gas station, or restaurant.
The culprits stole people’s information for the last 6 months and have been sitting on our card numbers until now.
It’s being called a sniffer scam. It’s not a skimmer scam.

Happy Customer
Happy Customer
13 years ago

Your comments are reprehensible. The Grill does have new owners, they took control of the restaurant this summer. I have been there 3 times since and the service has been excellent and the food very good. Did you know the entire menu is now organic? I didn’t think you did.

Ignorance is no reason to make stupid comments.

Jessica Dally
Jessica Dally
13 years ago

As Yancy stated, a friend and myself were both hit and not from Broadway Grill. The only place on Capital Hill that I used my card near this time was Vivace coffee. I suspect they are just one of many places included in this.

Grill Customer
Grill Customer
13 years ago

Excellent response. This is a quality restaurant with quality food and service. Highly recommended. It is truly unfortunate that new business owners like this have been targeted.

I highly recommend frequenting this restaurant, supporting a new small business. They have a high quality product with high integrity.

News
News
13 years ago

The title is accurate. There is no vendetta against the grill. The title doesn’t blame the grill but states correctly that the fraud is linked to the grill.

lawsuit
lawsuit
13 years ago

looking forward to this lawsuit

Nate
Nate
13 years ago

My credit card got hit with fraudulent charges after visiting Broadway Grill. Big deal. This is why I use a credit card. BofA put an immediate stop on my card and is issuing me a new one. None of the charges are my liability. Why get pissed at the Grill?? It’s not like they did it maliciously. It’s part of living in a digital world. No skin off my nose. I support the Grill and will continue to eat there and use my credit card. I actually feel safer using my card there now since the issue has been identified and will be corrected.

Eleanor Lien
Eleanor Lien
13 years ago

Chip D?????,

I have worked in the service industry from retail to restaurants. I also have a deep working knowledge of both POS systems and PCI compliance. I am no expert by any means but I deal with enough of those things to know the difference between a margin for a tip and a markup on a dinner. I do agree that mistakes can be made however, there is a point of commonality here that you cannot ignore. Again, I don’t think it has to do with the owner or even the business but rather an employee. Until they can sort that out, it has to be taken into consideration that there is a breech in security.

I do realize that there were other businesses involved in this. I said two things 1) that was that I was not going to be dining here and that 2) people should be cautious when they were dining there and that they shouldn’t trust the business with their credit card information. It will take some time for them to put systems in play that prevent this from happening again. That is a fact. There is NOTHING wrong with saying where I will or won’t dine and why and there is nothing wrong with warning people to be careful with their credit card information at a restaurant where a breech has occurred.

Leave the word accusation out of it and put yourself in someone’s shoes that has had her identity stolen. Honestly, many other things spun out from my card being compromised that I did not mention that has cost me a great deal.

Again, I wish them the best of luck and hope they figure it out…bring your cash, give them that but until their accounts are secure from being drained, they could still lose that.

tom weinraub
tom weinraub
13 years ago

My debit card was used to buy from a store in Spain. However, Chase Bank fraud department did not let the purchase go through. I have a new debit card coming in the mail. I only used my card at the QFC.

Marc Lavallee
Marc Lavallee
13 years ago

Hey everyone!

I had a bank account of mine closed 2 weeks ago with fraud attempts AND another one closed just last night! Within those 2 weeks, I have only been to Broadway Grill 1 time, and did not use any of my credit cards! The Grill was not the only business targeted, clearly. Lets all continue to support Broadway Grill and ALL other businesses on the Hill! Matt and CJ, the owners, are AMAZING people and friends, and are working VERY HARD to maintain both their business and personal reputations within our community!

Warmest Wishes,

Marc Lavallee

news
news
13 years ago

You can’t honestly think this is worth a lawsuit. They would also need to go after all of the other news outlets (e.g. KOMO) for reporting the very same FACT.

news
news
13 years ago

Since you pointed out ignorance, lets look at yours. One glance at the menu and you can tell it isn’t all organic.

i know
i know
13 years ago

yes, debit cards can be run as credit. i am well aware of that and do so every time i eat at a restaurant (including broadway grill). but in one of the previous articles, a couple of people stated that there were DEBIT transactions made, which implies that someone is capturing PIN’s somewhere.

agreed
agreed
13 years ago

there was an employee at an applebee’s (yuck…) i think in renton…? who was skimming cards under the counter for some time. i think they got caught last year or the year before.

good reporting
good reporting
13 years ago

: thank you for the great coverage on this story. i think the only issue anyone here really has is that the headline makes one think that the grill is somehow being implicated as being culpable in it. and from reading the article, it does sound like they are just more victims.

jseattle
jseattle
13 years ago

Thanks. There has been a lot of attention centered on the headline. I don’t think changing it now would accomplish much but am open to other ideas that are factual. It’s a difficult headline to write. The only other option I considered was this: Broadway Grill tied to Capitol Hill fraud wave

I thought the variant I chose most clearly stated what I was able to report about the situation.