Help

BI’s Article search uses Boolean search capabilities. If you are not familiar with these principles, here are some quick tips.

To search specifically for more than one word, put the search term in quotation marks. For example, “workers compensation”. This will limit your search to that combination of words.

To search for a combination of terms, use quotations and the & symbol. For example, “hurricane” & “loss”.

Login Register Subscribe

Home Depot customers sue retailer hit by massive data breach

Reprints
Home Depot customers sue retailer hit by massive data breach

A lawsuit seeking class action status has been filed in federal court in Atlanta in the reported breach of customer and credit card data at retailer Home Depot Inc., although the retailer had not officially confirmed a breach occurred.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of customers John Solak and Dennis O'Rourke in federal court, cited media reports that computer hackers gained access to Home Depot's data network sometime between late April and May.

“The ramifications of Home Depot's failure to keep plaintiffs' and class members' personal and financial information are severe,” says the lawsuit, John Solak and Dennis O'Rourke v. The Home Depot Inc.

Mr. O'Rourke used his debit card to make a purchase at the Home Depot store in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 27, and his debit card account information was used to make fraudulent purchase of $49.95 on Sept. 2, according to the lawsuit that accuses Home Depot of negligence, breach of implied contract and unjust enrichment, among other charges.

Mr. Solak alleged his financial and personal information had been compromised, and that he faces the “imminent and certainly impending threat of future additional harm.”

Customer data reportedly could have been stolen from nearly all of Home Depot's 2,200 stores.

A Home Depot spokesman said it was premature to comment on the suit.

“Our forensics and security teams have been working around the clock since we first became aware of a potential breach Tuesday morning, working with leading IT security firms,” the spokesman said in a statement. “It's important to note that in the event we determine there has been a data breach, our customers will not be responsible for any possible fraudulent charges.”

The retailer apologized for customers' frustration and concern, said it would offer free identity protection services and advised monitoring accounts for any unusual activity.