Attn Shoppers: Credit Card Security Breach at T.J. Maxx & Marshalls

If you have shopped at Marshalls or T.J. Maxx since 2003, check your credit card and bank statements. The Wall Street Journal reports that credit-card information was stolen from the parent company of those two stores and the theft could hit the security of 40 million credit cards.

You should be concerned about this info theft if --since May of 2003-- you have:


1. Shopped with a credit card at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and their affiliated stores.

2. Ditto for debit cards

3. Provided those stores with your license number (for a check)

4. Returned merchandise to those stores over that time period.


Here's a link to a preview of the story.

TJX said customer information was stolen from a computer network that handles a wide range of financial information, including credit cards, debit cards linked to checking accounts and transactions for returned merchandise. It didn't provide details of the breach, saying only that it discovered in December that an "unauthorized intruder" accessed its computer systems. Some drivers' license numbers also were stolen. --WSJ

I have shopped at Marshalls during that period. Therefore, I am going to take the steps recommended by the company:

The company urged customers to review their account statements for potential fraud and set up a toll-free number (866-484-6978) for those with questions about the situation. TJX also said it would provide tips on preventing credit- and debit-card fraud and steps customers can take to protect their personal information at www.tjx.com. --WSJ

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The Frugal Duchess Boutique
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