Has anyone dealt with Staples rewards Theft??

Okay, I just logged in to my rewards account and found out that someone used my last $30 reward in Bronx, NY. Ive never been to that place. What the hell is going on ? Im going to raise hell with them Monday. Lets hope for their sake its a glitch

Lets get specifics to see if there is a pattern.
Date used: 7/22
Place: Bronx,NY
Transaction Amount: $84.88

And just for the record Ive never given my rewards number or a coupon to anyone, apart from Staples cashiers. I have used coupons from the SDer club. Could there be a link there ?

Im also quoting makeitslicker's post here from the Staples INK thread, for reference. Looks like its becoming pretty common :-

Quote : makeitslickER said : did anyone's staples rewards account get stolen like mine? I have 2 accounts under my name and my gf's name and when I logged in today to print out this months reward, the reward history says that the rewards for April and June was used in Queens(NY)and Flushing(NY). I've never been in that area in 3 years and when I click the "total spent", the item purchased with rewards are not something that I recognize at all. (both rewards from first account spent in queens, both reward from second account spent in flushing, two aren't that far away from each other as far as I know) Weird thing is that two accounts are compromised the same way and two previous rewards were stolen out of my account and they purchased something from two different staples. Is there a group of people in new york who specialize in stealing rewards accounts or something? Or is that some kind of a systemic glitch? The reason I am asking is I can't remember whether I used those reward or not.

Quote : makeitslickER said : wow, how strikingly similar is that thread to mine!!! My rewards were used on external hard drives and they were used in new york. What the hell is going on with staples rewards? Literally, I never give out any information online nor shared coupons with anyone. Only place that I could have leaked my info was at the store when I hand the coupon to the cashier. If that's the case, should I suspect employees of stealing my info and distributing them? I mean, I don't see staples employees stealing info and then traveling all the way to new york to use them. there has to be a compromise somewhere other than the store. Wow, this is really new to me and it's literally unbelievable how shoddy their security system is.

Quote : makeitslickER said : I mainly use $$/$$ coupons off of Sder. What $/$$ coupon were you referring to? The coupons that we get in the mail or email?

Funny, he used coupons from SDer as well. Something fishy.......

And all these transactions are taking place in NY.......

that is interesting that the thread you quoted from seems almost an identical situation as mine, except ive never even used coupons or anything other than my own..

my stolen rewards were used to buy external hard drives, just like his, and they were used in NY, just like his.. i did notice that Staples rewards (unless i researched it wrong) is based somewhere in Massachusetts, so maybe someone there knows how to look for specific envelopes through the mail or something and steals the number that way, then goes up to NY to use them or something..

also, i did notice if you look on ebay, there are multiple people selling multiple staples rewards checks/codes.. in other words they are most likely stolen, especially since two of the main sellers sell 10+ per month, and in the description it says if you order more than one check, they will most likely have different names.. (i mentioned this to the rewards person and they said they were aware of it already, but who knows)

as for my situation, they originally wanted to just give me $30 and shoo me away, but i persisted, so they took the 3 days and sent it to their investigation unit or whatever, and finally got a call 4 days later saying they would snail mail me the full amount back in the form of a courtesy check. im really glad they decided this, but i really feel like they should probably find a way to fix this.. cuz it is a little shady that it only seems to be happening mostly in NY.. so for anyone else that has had them stolen, contact the rewards people by phone, be persistant (but calm and cooperative) if they try to just give you $30 (if you had more stolen), and youll most likely have them look into and then make a decision like mine..

heres hoping they figure this out, or else fix their system..

Quote from frothybroccoli : that is interesting that the thread you quoted from seems almost an identical situation as mine, except ive never even used coupons or anything other than my own.. my stolen rewards were used to buy external hard drives, just like his, and they were used in NY, just like his.. i did notice that Staples rewards (unless i researched it wrong) is based somewhere in Massachusetts, so maybe someone there knows how to look for specific envelopes through the mail or something and steals the number that way, then goes up to NY to use them or something.. also, i did notice if you look on ebay, there are multiple people selling multiple staples rewards checks/codes.. in other words they are most likely stolen, especially since two of the main sellers sell 10+ per month, and in the description it says if you order more than one check, they will most likely have different names.. (i mentioned this to the rewards person and they said they were aware of it already, but who knows) as for my situation, they originally wanted to just give me $30 and shoo me away, but i persisted, so they took the 3 days and sent it to their investigation unit or whatever, and finally got a call 4 days later saying they would snail mail me the full amount back in the form of a courtesy check. im really glad they decided this, but i really feel like they should probably find a way to fix this.. cuz it is a little shady that it only seems to be happening mostly in NY.. so for anyone else that has had them stolen, contact the rewards people by phone, be persistant (but calm and cooperative) if they try to just give you $30 (if you had more stolen), and youll most likely have them look into and then make a decision like mine.. heres hoping they figure this out, or else fix their system..

appreciate the update, i will also update once I hear what they have to say on Monday,

Holy cow, I never thought of someone stealing a Staples rewards number. OP, glad you got it resolved. indy, hope you are able to get your issue resolved as well.

It just happened to me again, on the brand new rewards account that never received any coupons that I could give away. A $30 ink check was used on a delivery order to Corona NY. They were unwilling to tell me the order number or delivery address or even to replace the check. I had to ask for a supervisor. I am now rushing to the store to use the other unused check that I have after which I am done with staples checks.

UPDATE : Staples re-issued my check as a "one time courtesy" and gave me a new rewards number as well. The only explanation they could come up with is security issues. Yah right, pass the buck. The security flaw is with Staples, not my computer. I handle 20 different accounts and the only thing compromised was a rewards check in my StaplesRewards account. I have a hard time believing that. My explanation is someone figured out my Staples number, its easily viewable on every rewards check Ive used in a Staples store. From there its probably easy to generate the rewards check as the poster above points out.

Im getting a new number and have changed my password. Also verified that no viruses and malware exist on my computer, at least none that several different programs can find.

Quote from frothybroccoli : that is interesting that the thread you quoted from seems almost an identical situation as mine, except ive never even used coupons or anything other than my own.. my stolen rewards were used to buy external hard drives, just like his, and they were used in NY, just like his.. i did notice that Staples rewards (unless i researched it wrong) is based somewhere in Massachusetts, so maybe someone there knows how to look for specific envelopes through the mail or something and steals the number that way, then goes up to NY to use them or something.. also, i did notice if you look on ebay, there are multiple people selling multiple staples rewards checks/codes.. in other words they are most likely stolen, especially since two of the main sellers sell 10+ per month, and in the description it says if you order more than one check, they will most likely have different names.. (i mentioned this to the rewards person and they said they were aware of it already, but who knows) as for my situation, they originally wanted to just give me $30 and shoo me away, but i persisted, so they took the 3 days and sent it to their investigation unit or whatever, and finally got a call 4 days later saying they would snail mail me the full amount back in the form of a courtesy check. im really glad they decided this, but i really feel like they should probably find a way to fix this.. cuz it is a little shady that it only seems to be happening mostly in NY.. so for anyone else that has had them stolen, contact the rewards people by phone, be persistant (but calm and cooperative) if they try to just give you $30 (if you had more stolen), and youll most likely have them look into and then make a decision like mine.. heres hoping they figure this out, or else fix their system..

ETA: Missed the message just above me since it took me a while to type out mine. Im inclined to stop recycling as well just like m124 (see post above mine). And no recycling means no buying double-priced stuff at staples either. Hope their sales go to hell or someone sues them and they are forced to fix this glaring security flaw.

Quote from m124 : It just happened to me again, on the brand new rewards account that never received any coupons that I could give away. A $30 ink check was used on a delivery order to Corona NY. They were unwilling to tell me the order number or delivery address or even to replace the check. I had to ask for a supervisor. I am now rushing to the store to use the other unused check that I have after which I am done with staples checks.

wow that's not cool

Quote from joer316 : wow that's not cool

That's not cool indeed. However, I am happy that I was able to use the check at the store this morning on the 1 cent AR paper and, by looking at the balance coupon, it looks like it does not contain my rewards number, which is great.

I don't think there is an issue of email accounts getting compromised because this last check was snailed mailed via US Mail (I still have the paper check). Plus I now delete any checks I receive via email after I save them to my computer. And I don't think the Staples rewards account was compromised either because the first time it happened, Staples did not have the functionality of printing the check from their Rewards website.

I would say that they are simply guessing rewards numbers. However, it is interesting that they hit me again on a different rewards number with a different address, in such a short period of time.

Another place where Staples dropped the ball was when letting that order go through. I mean, they screen thousands of backpack orders for breakroom & cleaning supplies coupons, but they accept an order with a delivery address across country from the address on the rewards check.

Quote from m124 : That's not cool indeed. However, I am happy that I was able to use the check at the store this morning on the 1 cent AR paper and, by looking at the balance coupon, it looks like it does not contain my rewards number, which is great. I don't think there is an issue of email accounts getting compromised because this last check was snailed mailed via US Mail (I still have the paper check). Plus I now delete any checks I receive via email after I save them to my computer. And I don't think the Staples rewards account was compromised either because the first time it happened, Staples did not have the functionality of printing the check from their Rewards website. I would say that they are simply guessing rewards numbers. However, it is interesting that they hit me again on a different rewards number with a different address, in such a short period of time. Another place where Staples dropped the ball was when letting that order go through. I mean, they screen thousands of backpack orders for breakroom & cleaning supplies coupons, but they accept an order with a delivery address across country from the address on the rewards check.

This is scary! It appears that the people who figured out how to create fake coupons also figured out how to make rewards coupons based on a certain algorithm. I guess they can hit anyone

It is indeed interesting that your brand new account with a different address and e-mail was compromised so quickly.

If I am going to be be "forced" to use my Staples rewards as soon as they are issued to avoid the damn thieves, this will take all the "fun" out of shopping there. Besides, I "save" my rewards checks up until last minute to use on big ticket items; this would ruin that, too!

Good luck guys!

Quote from m124 : That's not cool indeed. However, I am happy that I was able to use the check at the store this morning on the 1 cent AR paper and, by looking at the balance coupon, it looks like it does not contain my rewards number, which is great. I don't think there is an issue of email accounts getting compromised because this last check was snailed mailed via US Mail (I still have the paper check). Plus I now delete any checks I receive via email after I save them to my computer. And I don't think the Staples rewards account was compromised either because the first time it happened, Staples did not have the functionality of printing the check from their Rewards website. I would say that they are simply guessing rewards numbers. However, it is interesting that they hit me again on a different rewards number with a different address, in such a short period of time. Another place where Staples dropped the ball was when letting that order go through. I mean, they screen thousands of backpack orders for breakroom & cleaning supplies coupons, but they accept an order with a delivery address across country from the address on the rewards check.

Sorry to hear about your experience, these thieves make me super mad. It all started with fake in store coupons and now fake/stolen rewards too.
If it is a delivery order Staples can definitely track who used it but Im not sure if they will put in the effort.

I have just had my rewards stolen as well. Two checks for $30 each where spent at a store in Berlin, NY on an Epson Printer and Highlighters. Two separate purchases for both those items twice, one coupon each. I was going to use them this evening but they were stolen and used on the July 25th. I am pretty sure the guy stealing them is selling them on ebay and I think I know who the seller is that sold my numbers but I cannot contact the buyers and try to verify the numbers he sent them. If I could I would work with staples fraud department and put the asshole in jail. I have an idea who the seller is based on the use date and the location of the seller "assuming" it is the guy at my local store. You figure the buyer and seller will be same state and the usage will be within a week at most and the sale amount will be based on a $60 staples rewards auction, etc. Not rocket science.

I am going to contact staples tomorrow.

I was going to change my password and account number and stuff but apparently the guy who did it had his check stolen again and it didn't matter. I think staples employee's are in on this as much as hackers. What to do?

I had a problem with an employee last year and had not seen the guy in about 8 months at the store. I don't go very often since I purchase online. Low and behold that guy is the guy I turned in inks with and used a coupon with and now they are stolen... I had not used a single coupon at the store in many years till then...

BTW, this has never happened before and I have not had anything else hacked. Someone in NY is stealing codes from customers.

Quote from lixivix : I have just had my rewards stolen as well. Two checks for $30 each where spent at a store in Berlin, NY on an Epson Printer and Highlighters. Two separate purchases for both those items twice, one coupon each. I was going to use them this evening but they were stolen and used on the July 25th. I am pretty sure the guy stealing them is selling them on ebay and I think I know who the seller is that sold my numbers but I cannot contact the buyers and try to verify the numbers he sent them. If I could I would work with staples fraud department and put the asshole in jail. I have an idea who the seller is based on the use date and the location of the seller "assuming" it is the guy at my local store. You figure the buyer and seller will be same state and the usage will be within a week at most and the sale amount will be $60 staples rewards, etc. Not rocket science. I am going to contact staples tomorrow. I was going to change my password and account number and stuff but apparently the guy who did it had his check stolen again and it didn't matter. I think staples employee's are in on this as much as hackers. What to do? I had a problem with an employee last year and had not seen the guy in about 8 months at the store. I don't go very often since I purchase online. Low and behold that guy is the guy I turned in inks with and used a coupon with and now they are stolen... I had not used a single coupon at the store in many years till then... BTW, this has never happened before and I have not had anything else hacked. Someone in NY is stealing codes from customers.

Sorry to hear that you are also a victim of this. This is indeed scary!

Good luck, and please let us know what they say tomorrow.

If you contact eBay, they may release the buyer's information to you, so that you can match your rewards check number. It's worth a try...

Okay so I started this process of trying to get my rewards back by contacting staples rewards and they are going to look into it and I got the phone number for staples presidents secretary's office or whatever that is like the other person mentioned. If I don't get satisfaction I will call them. The phone number is: 1-800-338-0252. I don't have a staples rewards premier account so I don't think I can call whatever that phone number is or am I missing something?

I don't wish anyone ill will here but I can't help hoping that this problem isn't limited to the handful of people here because if it is it seems to me staples won't feel obligated to correct this problem or reissue funds.

EDIT: WTF, I changed my password right after my conversation with staples and logged in to make sure it worked then I decided to make another change and when I went to log in again my account user name doesn't exist so I cannot even log onto my rewards account. farking crazy. I am going to wait and see if it works tomorrow as I don't have time for this crap. I think the CS Rep. I was talking to deleted my rewards account which had another $20 due next month on it. My staples.com account still works. This crap is such a waste of time. I am just hoping they are investigating and that is why I cannot access it.

I used chat to contact them,they are apparently aware of the issue. The rep didnt argue, didnt say anything other than "Oh, I'll issue you a new check as a one time courtesy". She did put me on hold (in chat) for about 5 minutes. They are not that naive, they know its a problem.