Target’s data-breach nightmare just got scarier.
The trendy discount chain said Friday that the names, home addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of 70 million shoppers were stolen by cyber-criminals during the holidays — a significant chunk of the US population that far exceeds the retailer’s previous estimate of 40 million people.
The two estimates are groups that probably overlap, Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said, but the extent of the overlap wasn’t immediately clear.
“I know that it is frustrating for our guests … and we are truly sorry they are having to endure this,” Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel said.
The widening security disaster drew fresh probes from state lawmakers, with attorneys general from New York and Massachusetts announcing Friday they have joined a nationwide investigation into the massive case of identity theft.
The breach likewise slammed business during the holidays, as skittish shoppers were reluctant to swipe their debit cards at its stores, Target said.
Target slashed its fourth-quarter forecast on Friday, saying comparable sales will likely be off about 2.5 percent, versus its previous estimate of flat sales.
Target cut its fourth-quarter adjusted earnings forecast for US operations to $1.20 to $1.30 per share, from $1.50 to $1.60.
Target shares fell Friday 1.1 percent, to close at $62.62.