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7-Eleven is an American retailer store that is an subsidiary of Seven eleven Japan that is owned by Seven & I Holdings. Founded in 1927 by Joe C. Thompson, originally known as Southland Ice Company, operated ice houses in Dallas Texas until it became an subsidiary of Southland Corporation. As a result of new ownership, all the retailers were named to Tote'm Stores, until renamed to 7-eleven in 1947 to reflect their new hours at 7am - 11 pm. [1]
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1927-05-15 |
| Legal Structure | Public subsidiary |
| Industry | Retail |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | https://www.7-eleven.com/ |
Consumer-impact summary
- False Advertising
- Privacy Violations
- Security Vulnerabilities
- Overcharging Customers
- Gaining Monopoly over local stores
Incidents
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the 7-Eleven category.
7-Eleven Fuel App Security Breach in Australia and Japan
- Main article: link to the main CR Wiki article
On July 2, 2019, an customer contacted the company about unauthorized charges, resulting in an investigation
that discovered hackers gaining access to some accounts,[2] affecting 900 customers and resulting in more than $500,000 lost in fraudulent purchases.[3] The company issued an apology for the incident and stated that customers will be compensated for the incident, eventually leading to the creation of the customer support emergency number to help those affected. Two Chinese men were arrested in connection with this incident.
On October 25, 2019, an customer from Australia reported the breach when he was able to access other customers personal information. In response, 7-Eleven temporary shut down the app, describing it as "an maintenance issue", and opening the app at 5:30 pm.[3] It is unclear how many customer's were affected,[4] however the hacker was never found.
7-Eleven Denmark Ransomware attack
On August 8, 2022, 7-Eleven disclosed that around 175 stores checkout and payment systems were hacked, [5] resulting in closure of 175 stores. The company initially responded by calling it an hacker attack, however on August 10, the company later backtracked and confirmed the attack was ransomware,[6] and on the same day, opened 110 of the original stores affected. It's not disclosed if any consumers were affected, or if any affiliated hacker groups were caught. [7]
7-Eleven Fuel Pump Problem
In 2008, the Office of Fair Trading conducted an investigation in an 7-Eleven store from Australia that concluded in numerous items being overcharged. A year later, the Office of Fair Trading found that the original items were still overpriced, resulting in 7-Eleven receiving a fine of $4000. [8][9][10]
In 2018, it was reported that 7-Eleven was charging customers while the gas nozzle was not being used. When one customer reported this to the store clerk, the clerk responded with," there was nothing that can be done". After news of this incident gain traction with videos and news outlets reporting on the situation, 7-Eleven responded by shutting down the pumps and repairing it immediately, however it's unknown if customers were ever refunded. [11] [12][13]
On October 3, 2022, several people reported after paying for gas at 7-Eleven, the customers ended up with water in their tanks. The company responded by saying," "We received reports of tainted gas at 20955 Davenport Dr. in Sterling, VA and are currently investigating this matter further. Customers who believe their car was impacted may call 1-800-255-0711." Customers who reached out to the phone number experience slow responses. [14][15]
A customer named Bradly had a comment about the situation, saying, "I would love for them to respond and compensate me for everything I've had to pay for so far."
Another was a customer was Garret, which he responded with," I'm not getting any feedback from 7-Eleven. I'm not getting any feedback from the insurance. What do you do?"
It is unclear whether the customers gotten refunded.
Lawsuits
| Controversy | Date | Description | Result | Related article |
| 7-Eleven Collected Facial Imagery of customers in Australia | 2020 | In June 2020, 7-Eleven introduced an survey called feedback kiosks that customers voluntary participate in a survey about their experience. Conducted on tablets, it collected facial images of customers without their consent.[16][17][18][19][20] | 7-Eleven was ordered to cease this practice and destroy any collected data. | |
| False advertising on JUUL e-cigarettes. | 2021 | 7-Eleven was sued for false advertising of the product, JUUL e-cigarettes, for alleging that it was a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, which prior to 2018, claimed that it contained no nicotine.[21][22][23][24] | The lawsuit was settled, with 7-Eleven paying $1.2 million and having the company implement a monitoring program. | |
| 7-Eleven False Advertising on Onion Chips | 2021 | A class action lawsuit alleges 7-Eleven is misleading customers with their product “Yumions” as an “crunchy onion snack”, while only containing small amounts of onions.[25][26] | The case is still ongoing | |
| 7-Eleven Collected Biometric Data of customers in Illinois | 2022 | 7-Eleven used surveillance system from Clickit to collect biometric data from customers without their knowledge, violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.[27][28][29][30][31] | The case was dismissed without prejudice by the plaintiff, however the reason or behind remains unknown. | |
| 7-Eleven false advertising Wellness Tonic as better alternative to alcohol | 2023 | 7-Eleven and the manufacturer, Botanic Tonics, advertised Feel Free Wellness Tonics, as a safe, sober, and healthy alternative to alcohol despite containing kratom, an addictive opioid.[32][33][34][35] | The case reached a settlement of $8,750,000, requiring 7-Eleven to add kratom warnings on product labels and advertisements. | |
| 7-Eleven acquiring an fuel outlet without prior notice | 2023 | 7-Eleven violated an 2018 FTC consent order that prohibited acquiring fuel outlets in certain local markets without first notifying Federal Trade Commission to avoid harming competition and increasing fuel prices. 7-Eleven could've faced a maximum penalty of over $77 million.[36][37][38] | The case was settled, with 7-Eleven paying $4.5 million on December 8, 2025. |
See also
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References
- ↑ "7-Eleven". Popular Timelines. 2026-01-29. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "7-Eleven Japan suspends mobile app after data breach". Payments Dive. 2019-07-08. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 Coble, Sarah (2019-10-19). "Drivers' Data Exposed in 7-Eleven Fuel App Breach". Infosecurity Magazine. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Hudson, Kristin (2019-11-01). "7-Eleven Customer Data Exposed in App Security Breach". Identity IQ. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Panettieri, Joe (2022-08-14). "7-Eleven Denmark Ransomware Cyberattack: Timeline Details and Recovery Updates". MSSP Alert. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Cluley, Graham (2022-08-12). "Ransomware attack blamed for closure of all 7-Eleven stores in Denmark". Fortra. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Abrams, Lawrence (2022-08-10). "7-Eleven Denmark confirms ransomware attack behind store closures". Bleeping Computer. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Lawlor, Peter (2009-06-24). "7-Eleven store fined for false price scans". The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Ayrouth, Elie (2011-05-17). "Is 7-Eleven Overcharging You At The Register?". Food Beast. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "7-Eleven fined for overcharging". Brisbane Times. 2009-06-24. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Gatollari, Mustafa (2025-06-20). "Wonder How Long I Left It In:' Driver Fills Up Gas at 7-Eleven. Then She Catches the Pump Still Charging After She's Finished". motor1.com. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Meredith, Michelle (2018-05-30). "Ghost gas pump charges Orange County customers while they aren't pumping". Wesh. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Derridj, Mustapha (2025-08-10). "She Fills Up at 7-Eleven… and Notices the Pump Keeps Charging Even After It Stops". The News Wheel. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ FLORES, CHRISTIAN (2022-10-16). "2 more people had water in gas tank after fueling at Va. 7-Eleven, state confirms reports". 2KUTV. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Flores, Christian (2022-10-16). "2 other people had water in gas tank after fueling at Sterling 7-Eleven, complaint reveals". Fox17. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Kwan, Campbell (2021-10-13). "7-Eleven breached customer privacy by collecting facial imagery without consent". ZDnet. Archived from the original on 2026-01-31. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ↑ Marzouk, Zack (2021-10-14). "7-Eleven biometric data collection found in breach of Australian privacy laws". ITPro. Archived from the original on 2026-01-31. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ↑ "Privacy and biometric information. 7-Eleven breaches customer's privacy". Kalus Kenny Intelex Lawyers. 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Thomas, Liisa; Dao, Anne (2021-11-17). "Australia Objects to 7-Eleven's In-Store Use of Facial Recognition Technology". Sheppard Mullin.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Chapman, Alex; Mitchell, Stefan (2021-10-14). "7-Eleven told to delete customers' photos after facial recognition software falls under privacy commissioner's scope". 7News. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Smith, Anna (2021-10-18). "7-Eleven Hit With Class Action for Allegedly Hiding Harmfulness of JUUL Products". Top Class Actions. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "JUUL E-cigarettes Sold at 7-Eleven". Truth in Advertising. 2026-01-31. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Rizzi, Corrado (2021-10-18). "Class Action Claims 7-Eleven Failed to Warn of Juul E-Cigarette Dangers". Class Action. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Thrasher, Tyler (2025-09-09). "7-Eleven to pay $1.2 million to settle lawsuit over illegal vape sales near DC schools". Fox5 Washington DC. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Shaak, Erin (2021-01-12). "7-Eleven 'Yumions' Packaging Misleads Consumers About Onion Content, Class Action Says". Class Action. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ↑ "Yumions Crunchy Onion Snacks". Truth in Advertising. 2026-01-31. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Rizzi, Corrado (2022-04-26). "7-Eleven Hit with Class Action Over Alleged Collection of Biometric Data in Illinois Stores". Class Action. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "7-Eleven Class Action Alleges Retailer Violates Customers' Biometric Privacy". Top Class Actions. 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "7-Eleven Faces Class-Action Suit Over Collection of Biometric Customer Data". Convenience Store News. 2022-04-28. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Hess et al v. 7-Eleven, Inc". Justia Dockets & Findings. 2026-01-31. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Shah, Manish (2022-04-25). "Hess v. 7-Eleven, Inc. (1:22-cv-02131)". Court Listener. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Mehorter, Kelly (2025-04-15). "$8.75 Million Botanic Tonics Settlement Reached in Feel Free Kratom Lawsuit". Class Action. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Avery, Brad (2023-04-06). "Class Action Alleges Feel Free, 7-Eleven Misled Consumers About Addiction Risk". bevnet. Archived from the original on 2026-01-31. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ↑ Hanson, Natalie (2023-12-21). "7-Eleven must face liability claims over sales of a drink containing kratom". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Torres v. Botanic Tonics, LLC". Court Listener. 2026-01-31 (PDF).
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=requires|archive-date=(help) - ↑ Graham, Victoria (2023-12-04). "FTC Sues 7-Eleven for Anticompetitive Acquisition in Violation of 2018 Consent Order". Federal Trade Commissions. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Graham, Victoria (2025-12-08). "7-Eleven to Pay Record $4.5 Million Penalty to Settle FTC Antitrust Order Violation Case". Federal Trade Commissions. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Loder, Jessica (2023-12-05). "7-Eleven could face up to $77M in penalties in FTC lawsuit". C-Store Dive. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)