Malware Affected 56M Payment Cards In Home Depot Breach

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Home Depot says 56 million payment cards affected by data breach between April and September.

The Home Depot says it has eliminated malware from its U.S. and Canadian networks that affected 56 million unique payment cards between April and September, according to The Associated Press.

There is no evidence that debit PIN numbers were compromised or that the breach has impacted stores in Mexico or customers who shopped online at HomeDepot.com or HomeDepot.ca, according to officials.

The Atlanta-based home improvement retailer said Thursday it has also completed a "major" payment security project that provides enhanced encryption of customers' payment data in the company's U.S. stores.

In response to the breach, Home Depot is offering free identity protection services, including credit monitoring, to any customer who has shopped at a Home Depot store in 2014 in April or later. The store has set up a website where customers can learn more about the identity protection services and how to sign up for them.

"We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and anxiety this has caused, and want to reassure them that they will not be liable for fraudulent charges," said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO. "From the time this investigation began, our guiding principle has been to put our customers first, and we will continue to do so."

Home Depot also is confirming its sales-growth estimates for the fiscal year and expects to earn $4.54 per share in fiscal 2014, up 2 cents from its prior guidance.

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