It’s the most wonderful time if you’re a toy retailer – BUT – hackers tried to spoil the holiday season for one Alabama toy company, owned by a 90-year-old Anniston woman. 

Lucy’s Toys withstood a “phishing” attack that attempted to compromise the company’s email and its website, just as shoppers started looking for gifts.  Lucy Moore from Anniston, was a teacher when she founded Lucy’s Toys, back in 1966, as she managed to turn a simple sewing hobby into a grand business making stuffed animals, plush toys and puppets.   Lucy is on the road to Ohio for a craft fair where the company does about 70% of its business; however, the family noticed a few strange things last week, right before Thanksgiving.

Their e-mail had been hacked and someone sent out a big phishing email to customers, those responsible changed the autoreplies, and those with the website started hearing from people who got the emails.  The e-mail went out to several hundred customers and Lucy’s employees thought the problem was fixed – but by Saturday morning the company’s website was down.   It was hard to determine just how long the site had been affected – as the company does not host the site, the problem took the better part of a day to fix.  Later, it was obvious the hackers were after more.  

As many as 150 fake orders were made, totaling somewhat less than $20 each – attempting to access credit card information.  But FORTUNATELY, that data is handled by another company.  A Company Spokesperson stated – “the percentage was just enough to be concerned, especially during the busiest time of the year.”; yet by Sunday night, orders were moving smoothly again.

(www.AL.COM)