TJX probe finds security breach wider than first thought

TJX Cos., the parent company of Winners and HomeSense, said Wednesday a security breach of its computer systems was more extensive than first believed.

The Massachusetts-based company had originally reported customer data were stolen from its computer systems between May 2006 and December 2006.

It revealed Wednesday that acompany investigation has found hackers also broke into the systems in July 2005 and other unspecified periods that year.

It also saidWednesday credit and debit card data were stolen from transactions made at Canadian, U.S. and Puerto Rican retail outlets from January 2003 through June 2004. The breach does not include debit cards issued by Canadian banks.

"We are dedicating substantial resources to investigating and evaluating the intrusion, which, given the nature of the breach, the size and international scope of our operations, and the complexity of the way credit card transactions are processed, is, by necessity, taking time," Carol Meyrowitz, TJX's president and chief executive officer, said in a release.

'Based on everything we have done, I believe customers should feel safe shopping in our stores.' Carol Meyrowitz, TJX president

Meyrowitz also said the company had fortified its computer systems to encourage consumers to feel safe shopping at TJX's stores.

"Based on everything we have done, I believe customers should feel safe shopping in our stores," she said. "We value our customers' trust and I want our customers to know that I am deeply committed to continuing to address the security of our computer systems, and that TJX will provide periodic updates as we learn more."

In January, TJX announced millions of credit card accounts were compromised after hackers broke into its computer systems. The company later revealed it learned of the breach in mid-December but didn't disclose it for a month in an attempt to thwart further damage. Canada's privacy commissioneris investigating the breach.

Consumers who believe their credit or debit cards have been compromised can call a TJX hotline at1-866-903-1408.