Report: Five states launch Home Depot breach investigation

Atlanta – The attorneys general of California, Connecticut and Illinois are reportedly leading a multi-state investigation into the recent data breach at The Home Depot Inc. According to Reuters, the attorneys general of New York and Iowa will also take part in the effort.



The states disclosed the joint investigation on Sept.9, following Home Depot’s announcement that in-store payment systems at its U.S. and Canadian stores had been hacked in a breach that potentially could be one of the biggest attacks yet. The chain said malware was used in the hack. Home Depot did not specify how many cards might be affected, but a report in the New York Times said the total number of credit card numbers stolen could top 60 million, and may involve consumers who shopped at Home Depot stores from as long as April to early last week.



Home Depot’s IT department is looking into the breach and it is also working with security firms Symantec and FishNetSecurity its banking partners, and the U.S. Secret Service to investigate the breach. The retailer has assured customers they would not be held responsible for fraudulent charges to their accounts.



It is not certain if attorney general’s offices of other states may also join the investigation. Home Depot did not offer any comment specific to the investigation.