THE world's biggest ever credit card fraud has finally been brought to the nation's attention, nearly two months after the story was first published in the Weekly News.

On February 8 readers were urged to double check their credit card and bank statements after customers' details were stolen in a hacking attack on computer systems at cut-price retailer TK Maxx.

Bosses at TK Maxx, which has a store at Trident Retail Park in Runcorn, circulated a confidential e-mail to employees alerting them to the security breach which took place in December.

The intrusion affected systems at parent company TJX which manages customer transactions such as credit and debit card payments and refunds.

British authorities have launched an inquiry into how the hackers managed to steal information from more than 45 million credit and debit card holders on both sides of the Atlantic.

One TK Maxx customer, who did not wish to be named, said: 'It is really worrying because you would think you could trust a big shop like that with your details.'

The full extent of the fraud is yet to be known, although some fraudulent activity has already been reported.

Concerned customers should ring 0800 779 015 or visit www.tkmaxx.com.