Staples investigating potential credit card data breach, contacts law enforcement

Staples says that it is looking into a potential credit card data breach and that it has been in touch with law enforcement officials about the issue.

The office supplier retailer said that if it turns up any data discrepancies during its investigation, customers won't be responsible for fraudulent activity on their credit cards as long as it is reported in a timely manner.

Spokesman Mark Cautela said in a statement that "we take the protection of customer information very seriously, and are working to resolve the situation."

Earlier this month Sears Holdings Corp. reported a data breach at its Kmart stores. Other breaches have occurred at retailers including Target, Supervalu and Home Depot.

Shares of Staples Inc., based in Framingham, Massachusetts, slipped in premarket trading Tuesday