Record security breach at retailer TJX
ComputerWorld reports that the retailer TJX has owned up to losing 45.6 million credit card records to a break-in at its systems. The data loss took place over a period of 18 months and involves hundreds of thousands of individuals.
In its filing, TJX confirmed that its systems were first accessed illegally in July 2005 and then on several occasions later in 2005, 2006 and even once in mid-January 2007 — after the breach had already been discovered. However, no data appears to have been stolen after Dec. 18, when the intrusion was first noticed.
The systems that were broken into were based in Framingham and processed and stored information related to payment cards, checks and merchandise returned without receipts. The data breach affected customers of its T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods and A.J. Wright stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Also affected were customers of its Winners and HomeSense stores in Canada and TK Maxx stores in the U.K.
This just another instance of the shoddy security that exists at so many companies. Until the law is changed to make companies fully liable for these security lapses, we can expect more break-ins. In the meantime, if you’ve ever used your credit card at one of the companies involved, keep a strict eye on reported transactions or cancel the card and get a new number.
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