GRANT COUNTY — While it is unclear which stores have been hit by a rash of debit and credit card fraud, local Harvest Foods are taking precautionary measures to keep customer's information secure.

Last week, Spokane-based URM Stores Inc., connected to independently-owned stores across the Northwest, announced there are signs of an criminal cyber attack against their payment processing system, also recommending customers use cash or check at their stores, including Harvest Food locations in Grant and Adams counties.

Mike and Joe Montemayor, owners of five Lep-re-kon Harvest Foods location in the Columbia Basin, said they have not had any security incidents related to the URM investigation, and are taking every step they can to prevent any such incidents. Notices have been posted at the five locations to inform customers of the investigation.

The Lep-re-kon Harvest Foods locations stopped accepting debit and credit cards Monday, shutting down the system. The stores are now accepting credit cards at the Othello, Connell and Moses Lake locations using a secondary option not connected to the payment system involved in the investigation, and will soon be accepting credit cards at all five locations, including Mattawa and Zillah.

The Montemayors said they are still working on a way to accept EBT cards at this time.

Lep-re-kon has been refunding ATM fees this week to help customers.

Other URM Stores may be able to process a debit or credit card purchase through a dial-up connection that is not affected by the attack, according to URM Stores CEO Ray Sprinkle. This process takes a few extra minutes at the check-out stand.

Joe Montemayor urges everyone, not just customers, to monitor activity on credit and debit cards.

URM Stores customers can call a dedicated call center for questions and ways to protect themselves at 877-237-7408.

"If you suspect that your credit or debit card may have been compromised, you should immediately contact the bank that issued the card," Sprinkle stated. "Major credit card companies have 'zero liability' policies that guarantee cardholders will not be responsible for fraudulent charges."

URM Stores and the Secret Service are still investigating the fraud incidents and have not indicated what stores have been affected.