A computer hacker has apparently gained access to more than five years of gift-card purchases from the website of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, according to a bulletin issued Friday by Metro Visitor Venues.

Employees suspect that the following personal information was stolen regarding 864 customers who bought gift cards from the website, http://pcpa.com: names, street and email addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers and types, expiration dates and billing addresses. The compromised transactions occurred between Jan. 1, 2006, and March 15.

The online intrusions were discovered last week by IT and web-maintenance teams and are thought to have occurred between Dec. 20 and March 15, the bulletin said.

As a result, notification letters have been sent to the 864 credit-card holders.

“Immediate action was taken to ensure the safety of all personal identifying information contained on our website and we’re confident that this won’t happen in the future,” said Robyn Williams, executive director of the arts center, in the bulletin.

The unauthorized access did not affect online ticket purchases, which are handled only by Ticketmaster. All transactions for performances at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Keller Auditorium, Brunish Hall and the Newmark and Winningstad theaters “are safe, secure and encrypted,” said the bulletin from Visitor Venues employee Stephanie Soden.

Arts center employees have notified police but had no information about the investigation, the bulletin said.

John Branton: 360-735-4513 or john.branton@columbian.com.<I>

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