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TK Maxx owner hit by card breach TK Maxx owner hit by card breach
(about 2 hours later)
Hackers have stolen information from at least 45.7 million credit and debit cards used by customers of US discount retailer and TK Maxx owner, TJX. Hackers have stolen information from at least 45.7 million payment cards used by customers of US retailer TJX, which owns TJ Maxx, and UK outlet TKMaxx.
In a statement to US watchdogs the firm said it did not know the full extent of the theft and its effect on customers.In a statement to US watchdogs the firm said it did not know the full extent of the theft and its effect on customers.
TJX added that the security breach may also have involved TK Maxx customers in the UK and Ireland.TJX added that the security breach may also have involved TK Maxx customers in the UK and Ireland.
But the company did add that at least three-quarters of the affected cards had expired or data had been masked.But the company did add that at least three-quarters of the affected cards had expired or data had been masked.
The company also told the BBC that 100 files were moved from its UK computer system in 2003, and two files were later stolen.The company also told the BBC that 100 files were moved from its UK computer system in 2003, and two files were later stolen.
Question marksQuestion marks
However, a spokesperson admitted that the firm may never know what was in those files.However, a spokesperson admitted that the firm may never know what was in those files.
"We don't know what was in those files - the technology the hacker used prevents TJX from knowing, and also the fact that TJX system routinely deletes files," the spokesperson added."We don't know what was in those files - the technology the hacker used prevents TJX from knowing, and also the fact that TJX system routinely deletes files," the spokesperson added.
The data was accessed on TJX's systems in Watford, Hertfordshire, and Massachusetts over a 16-month period from July 2005 and covers transactions dating as far back as December 2002. The data was accessed on TJX's systems in Watford, Hertfordshire, and Massachusetts over a 16-month period from July 2005 and covers transactions made by credit and debit card dating as far back as December 2002.
We are deeply concerned about this event and the difficulties it may cause our customers Ben Cammarata, TJXWe are deeply concerned about this event and the difficulties it may cause our customers Ben Cammarata, TJX
The company, which discovered the problem three months ago and reported it two months ago, said that a lot of questions remained about the attack.The company, which discovered the problem three months ago and reported it two months ago, said that a lot of questions remained about the attack.
"There is a lot of information we don't know, and may never be able to know, which is why this investigation has been so laborious," spokeswoman Sherry Lang said."There is a lot of information we don't know, and may never be able to know, which is why this investigation has been so laborious," spokeswoman Sherry Lang said.
In its filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the group said it believed "the intruder had access to the decryption tool for the encryption software utilized by TJX".In its filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the group said it believed "the intruder had access to the decryption tool for the encryption software utilized by TJX".
It also admitted it did not know who, or how many people, were behind the attack, or whether there had been one breach or many.It also admitted it did not know who, or how many people, were behind the attack, or whether there had been one breach or many.
The papers also said that a further 455,000 customers who returned merchandise without receipts had personal data stolen - including driver's license numbers.The papers also said that a further 455,000 customers who returned merchandise without receipts had personal data stolen - including driver's license numbers.
However, the firm does not believe return customers at its UK stores were affected - or that chip and pin data in the UK was accessed as none is stored on the systems in Watford.However, the firm does not believe return customers at its UK stores were affected - or that chip and pin data in the UK was accessed as none is stored on the systems in Watford.
Many stores hitMany stores hit
The company warned many of its operations could be affected.The company warned many of its operations could be affected.
Hackers managed to access information from its TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods shops in the US and Puerto Rico; Bob's Stores in the US; as well as Winners and HomeSense shops in Canada.Hackers managed to access information from its TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods shops in the US and Puerto Rico; Bob's Stores in the US; as well as Winners and HomeSense shops in Canada.
Ben Cammarata, TJX chairman and acting chief executive, urged customers to check their credit and debit cards statements and any other account information for unauthorised use.Ben Cammarata, TJX chairman and acting chief executive, urged customers to check their credit and debit cards statements and any other account information for unauthorised use.
"We are deeply concerned about this event and the difficulties it may cause our customers," he added."We are deeply concerned about this event and the difficulties it may cause our customers," he added.
"Since discovering the crime, we have been working diligently to further protect our customers and strengthen the security of our computer systems.""Since discovering the crime, we have been working diligently to further protect our customers and strengthen the security of our computer systems."