Consumer database of several major North American stores hacked

Friday, January 19, 2007

TJX Companies, a U.S. chain, that owns big box stores Winners, a fashion outlet, and HomeSense, a home accessories store, has revealed they had their computers hacked back in mid-December.

It also affected the U.S. and Puerto Rico stores Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods and A.J. Wright, which are also owned by TJX Companies. The intrusion could also affect stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

They discovered the hacking in mid-December and revealed the information to the public on Wednesday.

"The company is committed to providing its customers with more information when it becomes available," TJX Companies said in a statement.

The computers contain credit card, debit card, check, and merchandise return transactions information. The hacker could have accessed transactions during 2003 and from May through December 2006.

Jefferies analyst Timothy Allen said the chain should use this as an opportunity for excellent customer service. He added that they should offer coupons to customers to get them back to shopping in stores owned by TJX.

Customers with questions can call one of the help lines at 866-484-6978 in the United States, 866-903-1408 in Canada, and 0800-77-90-15 for the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Sources

"Buyers Beware, Major Store Chains Computer Systems Hacked" — CHQR (AM), January 18, 2007
David Paddon. "Customer hotlines swamped after computer breach" — Canadian Online Explorer, January 18, 2007
Cotten Timberlake and Makiko Kitamura. "TJX Says Computers With Card Sales Were Broken Into (Update3)" — Bloomberg L.P., January 17, 2007
"T.J. Maxx, Marshalls customer info stolen" — CNN, January 17, 2007

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