Hackers Break Into T.J. Maxx Database

T.J. Maxx has reported the they have been hacked. “I don’t shop at T.J. Maxx”, you say? Well, they also operate as Marshalls, HomeGoods and A.J. Wright in the US. Winners and Home Sense stores in Canada and T.K. Maxx in the U.K. and Ireland.

Reportedly, the attack exposed customer information from 2003 and from mid-May through December 2006. According the TJ Maxx, the breach involved the credit card and debit card information of a “limited number” of customers. They also said that a “relatively small number” of customer names and driver’s license numbers were removed from their database.

Meaning, if you shopped at any of the above mentioned stores during the period in question, you should keep tabs on your credit card statements, bank account statements and your credit report.

My suggestion would be to do that if you have EVER shopped at any of those stores. Sometimes, the full scale of a hacker attack is not known for some time and other data could have been taken and the theft has not been discovered yet.

You should also familiarize yourself with our post from earlier this week on web sites that will help you protect your identity.

TJ Maxx’ web site posted a message from the CEO, Ben Cammarata. In the message, Cammarata voices his displeasure at the breach and offers several steps you can take and customer helplines you can call if you think your information may be in jeopardy.

To learn more about steps you can take to protect your credit and debit card information, we encourage you to access the information we have provided you on this website or to contact our special customer helplines…

Here are the numbers they list on their site that you should call if you are concerned:

In the United States:

Toll-free help line:
866-484-6978

In Canada:

Toll-free help line:
866-903-1408

In the United Kingdom and Ireland:

Toll-free help line:
0800 77 90 15

In addition, they have posted a special email address: customerservice@tjx.com.

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