Home Depot Hacked: 56 Million Credit Cards + 53 Million Emails – Home Depot Contact Info

The hackers that got into Home Depot’s computers stole 56 million credit cards.

Months later, Home Depot announced that hackers also gained access to customer email addresses.

Of course, Home Depot reassured their customers by stating, “Separate files containing approximately 53 million email addresses were also taken during the breach. These files did not contain passwords, payment card information or other sensitive personal information.”

Here is what the Home Depot emailed me. At least they were smart enough to add at the bottom, “Please do not reply to this email.”

From: The Home Depot

To: Dear Valued Customer,

The Home Depot has discovered that a file containing your email address may have been taken during the payment card breach we announced in September. The file contained email addresses, but it did not contain passwords, payment card information, or other sensitive personal information. We apologize for this incident and for the inconvenience and frustration this may cause you.

In all likelihood this event will not impact you, but we recommend that you be on the alert for phony emails requesting personal or sensitive information. If you have any questions or would like additional information on how to protect yourself from email scams, please visit our website or call 1-800-HOMEDEPOT.

Again, we apologize for the frustration and inconvenience this incident may have caused. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

The Home Depot

Please do not reply to this email. To contact us call 1-800-HOMEDEPOT, or contact us at The Home Depot, Attn: Privacy Official, 2455 Paces Ferry Road, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30339-4024, USA.

The Home Depot Reports Findings in Payment Data Breach Investigation

Press Release Home Depot data breach
* * *
Confirms Prior Guidance ATLANTA, November 6, 2014 — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today disclosed additional findings related to the recent breach of its payment data systems. The findings are the result of weeks of investigation by The Home Depot, in cooperation with law enforcement and the company’s third-party IT security experts.

Additional Investigation Details Disclosed In addition to details previously released, the investigation to date has determined the following:
* Criminals used a third-party vendor’s user name and password to enter the perimeter of Home Depot’s network. These stolen credentials alone did not provide direct access to the company’s point-of-sale devices.
* The hackers then acquired elevated rights that allowed them to navigate portions of Home Depot’s network and to deploy unique, custom-built malware on its self-checkout systems in the U.S. and Canada.
* In addition to the previously disclosed payment card data, separate files containing approximately 53 million email addresses were also taken during the breach. These files did not contain passwords, payment card information or other sensitive personal information. The company is notifying affected customers in the U.S. and Canada. Customers should be on guard against phishing scams, which are designed to trick customers into providing personal information in response to phony emails. Information about how to avoid phishing and other email scams is available by typing https://www.onguardonline.gov/articles/0003-phishing into your web browser.

As previously disclosed, the malware used in the attack had not been seen in any prior attacks and was designed to evade detection by antivirus software, according to Home Depot’s security partners. As the company announced on September 18, the hackers’ method of entry has been closed off and the malware has been eliminated from the company’s systems.

The Home Depot’s investigation, cooperation with law enforcement and efforts to further enhance its security measures are ongoing. The company does not anticipate further updates on the breach outside of its quarterly financial disclosures.

The Home Depot continues to offer free identity protection services, including credit monitoring, to any customer who used a payment card at a Home Depot store in 2014, from April on. Customers who wish to take advantage of these services can learn more at www.homedepot.com or by calling 1-800-HOMEDEPOT (800-466-3337).

Customers in Canada can call 800-668-2266.

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