Sign of the times: Lawsuits, investigations

One of the few predictable repercussions of the Home Depot data breach saga is the proliferation of lawsuits related to the unfolding story.

One day after Home Depot confirmed that a data breach had occurred that “could potentially impact any customer that has used their payment card at our U.S. and Canadian stores, from April forward,” the lawyers piled on.

Harwood Feffer LLP announced an investigation of the retailers board of directors. Reuters reported a lawsuit was filed by a customer in a Chicago federal court. Wolf Popper LLP announced an investigation on behalf of shareholders. And Federman & Sherwood pushed out a press release announcing the filing of a class action suit on behalf of consumers. Other lawsuits and investigations are in the works.

Also five U.S. states started their own investigations of the matter.

Home Depot says it is focused on its own investigation. And has repeatedly stressed that consumers “will not be responsible for any fraudulent charges” to their accounts.

The company is also offering free identity protection services, including credit monitoring, to any customer who has shopped in a Home Depot store, between April and now.