Detectives believe the thefts occurred when hackers accessed information of customers who used their cards at the Tip Top Kitchen on Gay Street.

The first report was made to police on Oct. 22, investigators said.

The owners said they are working to make sure it never happens again.

"We're deeply sorry if anyone's information was compromised.  This is a national epidemic.  This is going on all over the place.  And we want to assure our customers we are now as safe as any place to use your credit card as any place in the country," said Tim Lessner.

Lessner said Tip-Top has changed out hardware, software, and gotten rid of its Wi-Fi service.

"I'm confident most customers know that and know we're doing everything we can to put the kibosh on this and hopefully maintain coming here," Lessner said.

Police do not believe that anyone working at the restaurant is responsible for the thefts, Hirsch reported.

At first Zane Daniels did not know how his information was compromised but the answer likely lies on an August bank statement an $11 purchase made at Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails.

"It shows on the sixth of November a $211 purchase at a Wal-Mart in California.  I've never been west of Illinois so that was not me," Daniels said.

Police are investigating and said the restaurant is a victim just like its customers.

Detectives said the hacker may have been operating from out of the country and it is difficult to track because most of the time when your card is swiped your information goes from the machine to a processing center, then on to the card company, and finally to the bank for approval.

Police advise anyone who used their debit or credit card at Tip Top in July or August to cancel the card and get a new one.

If you think you are a victim, you should file an identity theft report.

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