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Credit Card Information Stolen From Downtown Restaurant

Police are alerting patrons of a downtown restaurant that their credit card numbers may have been compromised.

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Published: November 25, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Columbus police are alerting patrons of a downtown restaurant that their credit card numbers may have been compromised.

According to police, the computer system at Tip Top Kitchen on Gay Street was hacked and many credit card numbers were used fraudulently.

The managing partner, Tim Lessner, said he was notified about a month ago that the credit and debit card system was hacked into and account numbers were stolen from people who had used their credit cards at the restaurant between July and August.

Officials said they believe the hacker is from outside the country and they have used the stolen account numbers to make purchases around the country.

Lessner said he paid a $5,000 fine and hired an outside company to monitor the system. He also had the hard drive and wi-fi connections replaced.

"We want to assure our customers that we are now as safe as any place to use your credit card as anywhere in the country. The real culprit and the real perpetrator here is a highly-skilled hacker," Lessner said.

Police are attempting to make patrons aware that they need to call their credit card company and have their account number changed.

So far, police said 30 to 50 people have filed reports, but officials want other victims to come forward and take precautions to protect themselves.

Tip Top Kitchen is owned by the same company that owns Surly Girl Saloon, Betty's and Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace.

Lessner said the precautions taken for Tip Top have also been put in place at the company's other restaurants, and assures customers they are all safe.

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