Customers react to hacking of daily-deal website LivingSocial

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A website that has become a hot spot to find daily deals in Charlotte has been hacked, putting millions of customers and business owners at risk worldwide.

Log on to livingsocial.com and the website has a red line warning customers to update passwords immediately.

"That's some serious stuff," said customer Janice Edwards.

The site that offers daily deals in multiple cities, including Charlotte, was the target of a cyber-attack affecting more than 50 million customers.

"50 million people? That's a lot of people. Hope I'm not one of them," said customer Feliz Napoli.

Internet thieves accessed names, email addresses, dates of birth and encrypted passwords.

"I know I'd be really upset. I had my card stolen before and it's devastating, so I know how hard it is to know that info may out there," said customer Shanna Craig.

The company wants to assure customers and merchants that credit card information was not affected.

The company is working with law enforcement to investigate.

Many people Eyewitness News spoke with said companies should do more to protect people and anyone joining any site online should be cautious.

"We live in society where things are so convenient and we don't realize that with that convenience comes the chance of some consequences such as that happening," said customer Tony Dawson.

Others dodge the risk by avoiding such websites altogether.

"It's kind of a shame, because people are trying to save money in this economy, but you probably need to choose what you belong to. Choose your friends wisely," said customer Lauralee Zimmerly.

WSOC