Retailer Security Breach May Affect Maryland Consumers

TJX Companies, Inc. recently announced that it had determined that information was stolen from its computer system that processes and stores information related to customer transactions. TJX operates several nationwide chains, including Marshalls, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and A.J. Wright. TJX reported that information regarding credit and debit card sales transactions in TJX's stores during the period from mid-May through December 2006, and during 2003, may have been accessed. Maryland consumers who shopped at one of these stores during these time periods and who used a credit card, debit card or a check to pay for goods, may be affected by the breach.

“It is imperative that consumers who may be affected by this security breach carefully monitor their accounts to immediately detect any unauthorized use,” said Attorney General Doug Gansler.

Consumers who believe they may be affected should consider taking the following precautionary steps:

1. Monitor your credit reports to look for any signs of fraudulent activity, such as new credit accounts opened that you did not request.

Under federal law, each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – upon your request, must provide you with a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. To obtain a free copy of your credit report under federal law, visit  www.annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or write to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. In addition to this federal right, a Maryland resident has the right to a second free annual copy of his or her credit report. To request a free credit report under state law, contact the credit reporting companies directly: Equifax, 800-685-1111, www.equifax.com; Experian, 888-397-3742, www.experian.com; TransUnion, 800-916-8800, www.transunion.com.

You can request your report from each of the three credit reporting companies at once, or you can only order one or two at a time. If you are concerned about identity theft, it could help to stagger your requests. For example, request one report from an agency this month, request another report from another agency next month, and request a third report from the remaining agency the following month. This may help you spot suspicious activity as soon as possible.

2. You may wish to put a fraud alert on your credit file, which will alert potential creditors to take additional precautions when reviewing applications for credit in your name.

You can request a fraud alert by calling any one of the three credit reporting agencies at their fraud department numbers below. The company you call is required to contact the other two so that they can put a fraud alert on their file too. Ask to add a victim’s statement to your report, such as, “My identifying information has been stolen. Contact me at [your telephone number] to verify all credit applications.” Fraud alerts are placed for at least 90 days. Read more at oag.state.md.us.