Hackers target Starbucks app

Starbucks customers this week were shocked to discover thieves were able siphon money out of their accounts using their reloadable gift cards acquired through the coffee chain's mobile payment app.

Using password and username data stolen by hackers, Bob Sullivan, an independent consumer reporter, wrote how hackers were able to gain access to Starbucks accounts that were linked to a credit card. 

Once the hackers had gained entry, the victims could do nothing but sit and watch as hackers changed the account's email log-in and transferred the balance to a different Starbucks card.

According to Starbucks spokeswoman Maggie Jantzen who spoke to GeekWire the recent incidents were ''not widespread'' and noted that ''customer security is incredibly important to us''.

According to commentators, the issue could affect millions of users.

This was not the first instance that the Starbucks payment system had run into security issues.