Computers Containing Customer Data Stolen From Heartland Payment Systems

By Ian Bush

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- There are new problems for the New Jersey company that seven years ago suffered one of the biggest breaches of customer data. This time, it's not credit cards but instead personal information, which is considered even more valuable.

Heartland Payment Systems is based in Princeton, but it's a burglary last month at their office in Southern California that has the company alerting customers.

Thieves made off with 11 computers, four of which Heartland says may contain Social Security Numbers and bank account information used in payroll processing.

2200 customers, including some in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, are at risk if the password-protected data are cracked. It can be used to withdraw money and open new accounts.

Heartland says it's notifying people whose personal information may have been exposed, and says it's monitoring "for any malicious activity." The company also is offering free ID theft protection.

In 2008, Heartland's credit and debit card processing systems were hacked, exposing the payment details of 130 million people.