Spec’s liquor store chain reports data breach

One of the biggest Texas liquor store chains has reported a security breach that exposed personal information of customers at some of its smaller stores.

The Houston-based Spec’s chain said in aFridaystatement that the breach exposed data from Oct. 31, 2012, through March 20, 2014.

Spec’s said that, depending on individual circumstances, information exposed may include information from checks and credit and debit cards. However, most customers weren’t affected and fewer than 5 percent of its transactions were hacked.

The company says it’s offering a free year of credit monitoring and identity-theft protection to customers who may have been affected.

Spec’s said the intrusion involved 34 of its smaller neighborhood stores operating under various brands in College Station, Corpus Christi, El Paso and the Houston area.