Warner Robins-based Robins Federal Credit Union has blocked, because of a breach, about 2,000 debit and credits cards that were used at a local but unknown merchant.

Also, credit and debit cards issued by other financial institutions used at this unknown business have been affected, according to a news release from Robins Federal.

The credit union was “notified that a local merchant has experienced a payment processing breach that compromised credit and debit cards,” the release stated. “The unauthorized access to card information occurred at a local merchant where Robins Federal members had conducted business.”

The credit union placed “immediate blocks on all cards that were used at this local business.”

The card processor has not released the name of the merchant to Robins Federal, said Megan Allen, marketing assistant.

Affected Robins Federal members were notified by e-mail and letters Wednesday night after the credit union was alerted to the problem, Allen said.

Robins Federal members who are affected will be issued new cards with new numbers and expiration dates in seven to 10 days, according to a news release.

“Roughly 2,000 cards were affected,” Allen said.

Members of the credit union are not responsible for fraudulent transactions, and they should check their statements and notify the credit union if they find a transaction they did not make, the release stated.

Other credit and debit cards are apparently affected but it’s not known how many or which cards.

“Robins Federal does not have confirmation on who the merchant is, or what happened to cause the breach,” the release stated. “Any card used at this merchant, regardless of the financial institution, would have been affected. The merchant’s card processor is responsible for investigating the issue.”

Flint Energies issued a news release Thursday afternoon stating that some Flint members using automatic draft payments through Robins Federal credit or debit card accounts may be affected by being blocked.

Flint has 849 customers who pay their electric bills through a Robins Federal credit or debit card, but only the customers who have their cards blocked will be affected, said Jimmy Autry, senior vice president of community relations. Once these customers get their new card, they should bring it in to the nearest Flint office to update their account, he said.

To contact writer Linda S. Morris, call 744-4223.