TJ Max, Mashalls, ect Credit Card Number fraud

[munchkin_momma]

I am not sure if this is limit to my area (western PA Greensburg stores specifically), so I figured I'd give a heads up.

Somehow card numbers (Mastercard in particular) have been hijacked. They linked it back to TJ Max, Marshall's, and I think one other store affiliated with them.

I found out about this because I went to the ATM only for it to eat my card and tell me I was an unauthorized user. I had a credit/debit card with a mastercard logo. I received a letter from my bank the following day informing me that they are terminating current ATM cards and reissuing new ones. They said it was because Mastercard found that many cards were being used fraudulently and that all Mastercard owners should check the bank/credit statements to be sure that there isn't any transactions that weren't their own.

Thankfully mine wasn't used, but I do know some who's was. I hope no one else has had a problem like this, but I figured I'd give everyone the heads up so they can be on the look out especially if you do shop in that area or at those stores.

[carlita]

This happened to a co-worker at the Bellingham, WA TJ Maxx store... so not just your area.

[Throwin64]

This actually happened back in December 2006, and broke in the national press in mid-January 2007. The credit card processing system at TJ Maxx's parent company, TJX Cos., was hacked, and they got millions of CC numbers (including mine - I had just bought a $3 pair of socks at Marshall's). My bank notified me by certified mail on January 21, killed my card when I called that day and had a replacement in my hands within 5 days. If your financial institution is just now notifying you that there's a problem, they are either pathetically slow in contacting their customers or bordering on negligent in not protecting your account. I don't consider my self to be a harda$$, but I would be asking some very serious questions of my bank if I were in your shoes. Here are a few links.

The initial FoxNews story that broke it public:
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The REALLY scary part:
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Why TJX is scared to death of this event:
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It gets worse:
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It gets even worse:
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The **it hits the fan:
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And as usual, only the lawyers and thieves will make any money:
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And with those cheerful thoughts, I bid you adieu!

[ShainaT]

^Thanks for the links. Interesting.

[munchkin_momma]

Thankfully I haven't shopped at any of those stores in over a year so I don't think anyone got my card. My bank reissued EVERY ATM card with the mastercard logo on it at Mastercard's request apparently. They did it as a precaution because it was easier then waiting untill someone's card got used before they cancelled it. The girl at the bank told me that they did have over a dozen ppl who's card numbers were stolen, so when mastercard asked them to reissue cards (I think they also ate the cost) they did everybody.

[BALLETRINA2007]

Wow, that's crazy. What a bummer too, especially since it takes a while to get a replacement card sent. I don't know what I'd do without my debit card! I use it every day!