30 March 2007
Millions of UK shoppers are being urged to check their bank statements after TK Maxx revealed that a security lapse could lead to their customers' credit card details being obtained by sophisticated hackers.
According to The Daily Express, the first security breach took place back in July 2005, but it is only now that the fraudulent actions are coming to light.
As many as 45.6 million customers were exposed to information theft in the UK and North America, according to a press statement released by company directors.
Every customer who used a credit or debit card at any UK TK Maxx store between January 2003 and June 2004 is thought to be at risk, though details are hard to establish since much of the data needed to make checks was subsequently deleted.
TJX - TK Maxx's parent company - Chairman Carol Meyrowitz, attempted to reassure TK Maxx's customers, saying: "I want our customers to know how much I personally regret any difficulties you may experience as a result of the unauthorised intrusion into our computer system.
"We are dedicating significant resources to evaluate the issue, but the evaluation is, by necessity, taking time."
Consumers who believe they have been affected by the hacker are invited to contact TK Maxx by telephone on 0800 779015.
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