Home Depot Confirms Breach In U.S., Canada Stores

NEW YORK (AP) - Home Depot now says it's confirmed that its payment systems have been compromised. It says the hack could affect customers who used credit and debit cards at its more than 2,000 U.S. and Canadian stores.

The largest U.S. home improvement chain says it has not found evidence that debit card PINs were put at risk, however. It adds that online customers or shoppers at stores in Mexico are affected. The company did not say how many cards might be affected, and said that its investigation goes as far back as April. It disclosed a potential breach a week ago.

As of Feb. 2, Home Depot Inc. had almost 2,000 locations in the U.S. and 180 in Canada with about 100 more stores in Mexico. On the news, Home Depot shares fell 57 cents to $90.25 in aftermarket trading.

The home improvement chain is the latest retailer to have a data breach. Others include Target, grocer Supervalu, restaurant chain P.F. Chang's and the thrift store operations of Goodwill. The breaches have rattled shoppers' confidence in the security of their personal data.