This seems to be becoming a weekly occurrence. From The New York Times:
The TJX Companies, the retailer that operates the T. J. Maxx and Marshalls discount clothing chains, has joined the ignominious list of companies that have had sensitive customer financial data pilfered by identity thieves.
Yesterday the company, based in Framingham, Mass., said that as early as 2003 and during most of last year, an intruder had gained access to a computer system containing the private records of customers, including credit and debit cards, checks and driver’s license numbers.
The article goes on to say that it appeared T.J. Maxx was keeping records, obtained from the point of sale, that “most data security experts advise companies not to keep.”
But I’m sure some direct marketing fucker told them “hey, you could leverage that information to maximize ROI through segmentation, customer relationship management and one-on-one purchase incentive initiatives.”
I’m not paranoid, but this just freaks me out and pisses me off. From now on, when I go shopping, I’m bartering for everything with livestock.
Oh, wait. That might be a problem, too.
