March 9, 2005

            LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox today advised consumers who have used credit cards to make purchases at DSW shoe stores since October 2004 to contact their credit card issuers immediately.

            DSW has 175 stores nationwide. Its 10 Michigan stores are located in Troy, Southfield, Novi, Ann Arbor, West Bloomfield, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Dearborn, Grand Rapids, and Roseville.

            According to DSW, the company has identified consumers whose credit card and other purchase information has been accessed by unauthorized third parties and notified affected credit card companies and banks. Consumers may call DSW's toll-free special assistance number, 800-314-0224, for more information. (See http://www.dswshoe.com/ccpressrelease/pr/index.html)

            Cox commented: "I am alarmed and distressed at the wave of stories of security breaches affecting consumers' personal information. I am encouraged that DSW has disclosed the unauthorized access to sensitive customer records and I am hopeful they will continue to act candidly. Meanwhile, DSW consumers should call the customer service number for information regarding any credit card the customer may have used at DSW in recent months. I continue to urge all consumers to obtain free copies of their credit reports annually provided by federal law."

            Cox's office has prepared a comprehensive Consumer Alert, "Free Annual Credit Reports - What Consumers Should Know." 

            Copies are available from the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by mail, by phone or online:

Department of Attorney General 
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
www.michigan.gov/ag
517 373-1140
877-765-8388 (toll free)

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