Hackers have stolen information from at least 45.7 million payment cards used by customers of US retailer TJX, which owns TJ Maxx, and UK outlet TKMaxx.

In a statement to US watchdogs the firm said it did not know the full extent of the ***** and its effect on customers.

TJX added that the security breach may also have involved TKMaxx customers in the UK and Ireland.

But the company added that at least three-quarters of the affected cards had expired or data had been masked.

Question marks

The company also told the BBC that 100 files were moved from its UK computer system in 2003, and two files were later stolen.

However, a spokesperson admitted that the firm may never know what was in those files.

source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6508983.stm