Hyatt Warns of Malware on its Payment-Processing System

Hackers breaking into the computer system of big companies are nothing new but Hyatt is the most recent among the companies in the hospitality industry.

The Park Hyatt SydneyThe Park Hyatt in Sydney.Hyatt announced Wednesday that it has found malware in its payments systems.

The hotel chain says it has taken immediate steps to strengthen its security, and reassured customers that they can “feel confident using payment cards at Hyatt hotels worldwide”.

The company did not specify when the attack occurred, but said an investigation is ongoing.

U.S. hotel chain Hilton said that hackers infected some of its point-of-sale computer systems with malware crafted to steal credit card information.

The hotel operator has asked its customers to closely monitor the account statements of their payment cards.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc last month disclosed attacks on payment processing systems. The hotel chain had 627 properties in 52 countries at the end of September.

Hyatt didn’t say how many of its locations were affected, how exactly customer data might be compromised, nor how many customers may be impacted. Payment card rules generally provide that cardholders are not responsible for unauthorized charges that are timely reported.