The UPS Store Inc. yesterday issued a news release saying that "among many other U.S. retailers," the company recently received a government bulletin about a broad-based malware intrusion not identified by antivirus software.

Working with an IT security company, The UPS Store discovered the malware on systems at 51 locations in 24 states, representing about 1 percent of 4,470 franchised locations across the nation, the release said.

The release did not give exact numbers, but said the breach could involve customers who used a credit or debit card at the compromised locations between Jan. 20 and Aug. 11, when the malware was discovered and removed. 

Customer information that might have been exposed includes names, addresses (both postal and email) and payment card information. The UPS Store said it has no evidence of fraud arising from the incident, but is providing an information website, identity protection and credit monitoring services to customers whose information might have been compromised.

The limited malware intrusion was not present on the computing systems of any other UPS business entities. A list of locations affected is available online.