Upset due to the cost of service increase, a below expected profit rather a net loss of $9.6 million, or 26 cents a share, was reported by Heartland Payment Systems Inc., as compared to the last year's net income of $8 million, or
21 cents a share. The provider of credit and debit card service anticipates its earnings in ranging from 95 cents to $1 for the year 2010.

It literally shocked the United States cardholders, on Tuesday, when the Credit-card processor, Heartland Payment Systems disclosed that cyber thieves broke its system in 2008 and stole credit card information.

After being sounded the ‘red alert’ by MasterCard and Visa - about suspicious action regarding processed credit card transactions - Heartland Payment Systems concluded that its system was breached in 2008. Investigations by the credit-card processor revealed an extensive criminal operation, with the cyber thieves stealing credit card information.