FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   Thursday, September 4, 2014
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215   

 
Attorney General Jackley Urges Home Depot Customers to
Review Statements and Report Unauthorized Charges

PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning South Dakota consumers to be vigilant for unauthorized charges in response to the massive data breach at Home Depot stores nationwide.

It is still being determined exactly what might have been breached, but most likely criminals accessed data including customer names, credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates, and 3-digit credit card security codes, called CVVs.  It is also unclear at this time how the data was stolen, but could certainly include point-of-sale retail customers, in-store customers and online shoppers as being affected.

"We are experiencing significant security breaches with major retailers requiring consumers to take a proactive approach to protect their credit.   Regardless of whether you have been affected by one of the breaches, every consumer should get in the habit of accessing their free credit report to be alerted to matters affecting their credit,” said Jackley. 

Consumers can check their credit report with the three nationwide credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.  Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 for a free copy of your credit report. Consumers are entitled to a free copy from each company every 12 months.  If consumers find errors on their report, contact the reporting agency in writing.

Consumers can also place a fraud alert on their credit reports to help mitigate potential issues by contacting the three credit reporting agencies:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian:   1-888-397-3742
TransUnion:   1-800-680-7289

Below are some tips for consumers who may have been impacted by the data breach:

*Monitor your credit card and bank statements for unauthorized charges, especially consumers who used a credit or debit card at Home Deport beginning in spring/summer of 2014.

*If you see an unauthorized charge on your account, contact your card issuer right away using the toll-free number on the card to dispute the charges. Some card issuers might require that you follow up with a written dispute in order to receive a refund.

*Even if you do not detect an unauthorized charge, you can contact your card issuer using the toll-free number on the card and discuss whether it is appropriate to cancel your card and obtain a new account number and card.

*Beware of callers who claim to be with your card issuing bank. These calls may be a scam. Consumers should contact their bank first at the toll-free number on the back of your card before you disclose any personal information.

*It is important to review your bank and credit card statements immediately, but equally as important to continue to review these statements in the months to come for ID theft may occur down the road.

South Dakota consumers may contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or consumerhelp@state.sd.us for any questions or concerns.

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