Home Depot Joins The Data Breach Party, Investigating Possible Hack

Did you shop at Home Depot recently? Then you will probably want to keep an eye on your bank and/or credit card account. The retailer has confirmed it is investigating the possibility of a data breach that may have resulted in customers’ information being stolen.

Brian Krebs (who else?) is reporting that he had heard from insiders at multiple banks that Home Depot could be the source for a batch of stolen card numbers that recently went on sale on the black market.

A rep for the retailer confirmed that Home Depot is “looking into some unusual activity” and “working with our banking partners and law enforcement to investigate.”

“[W]e are aggressively gathering facts at this point while working to protect customers,” said the rep. “If we confirm that a breach has a occurred, we will make sure customers are notified immediately. Right now, for security reasons it would be inappropriate for us to speculate further but we will provide further information as soon as possible.”

Krebs says the breach may have involved all 2,200 Home Depot stores in the U.S. He also reports that there are indicators that the people behind this breach are the same ones responsible for hacks at other businesses, including Target, Sally Beauty and P.F. Chang’s.

For what it’s worth — and this may be a complete coincidence — I shopped at Home Depot last week and then on Saturday morning someone tried to use the same card to charge $60 to a sketchy online shop selling some Dr. Oz-touted herbal cure. Luckily, my bank flagged this charge as fraudulent and I didn’t have to file a claim. Of course, I am now waiting for a replacement card…

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.