A data breach that hit more than a thousand hotels across the United States in the final quarter of 2016 counts 19 New Jersey locations among its targets.

The hotels are all operated by International Hotels Group, which has activated a look-up tool on its website for customers, who believe their credit card statements were affected, to get more information.

Cash registers may have been hacked during this breach meaning names, card numbers, expiration dates and verification codes were put at risk.

Forbes suggests encrypted databases, multi-level passwords, employee background checks, firewalls and malware detection, and hold harmless protections via your attorney as ways to prevent becoming susceptible to future breaches.

The full list of potentially compromised N.J. hotels, beginning on Sept. 29 of last year:

  • Candlewood Suites in Bordentown, through Oct. 11
  • Holiday Inn in Budd Lake, through Dec. 28
  • Holiday Inn Express in Carneys Point, through Oct. 3
  • Holiday Inn in Clinton, through Dec. 20
  • Staybridge Suites in Cranbury, through Dec. 29
  • Crowne Plaza in Edison, through Nov. 14
  • Crowne Plaza in Elizabeth, through Oct. 6
  • Holiday Inn in Hazlet, through Dec. 29
  • Crowne Plaza in Monroe, through Dec. 29
  • Holiday Inn Express in Mount Arlington, through Nov. 7
  • Staybridge Suites in Mount Laurel, through Dec. 29
  • Holiday Inn Express in North Bergen, through Dec. 29
  • Holiday Inn in Princeton, through Dec. 29
  • Crowne Plaza in Saddle Brook, through Nov. 23
  • Holiday Inn in Secaucus, through Dec. 29
  • Holiday Inn in South Plainfield, through Dec. 21
  • Holiday Inn in Totowa, through Dec. 29
  • Holiday Inn Express in Vineland, through Dec. 29
  • Holiday Inn Express in Westampton, through Nov. 7

Patrick Lavery produces "New Jersey's First News" and is New Jersey 101.5's morning drive breaking news reporter. Follow him on Twitter @plavery1015 or email patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com.

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