Home Depot probing possible security breach | Video

Shares of the home improvement chain closed 2 percent lower at $91.15 on the news, which highlights growing scrutiny of data security in the retail industry following a massive breach at Target Corp last year.

"If we confirm that a breach has occurred, we will make sure customers are notified immediately."

The statement came after security website KrebsonSecurity first reported that multiple banks had seen evidence that Home Depot may be the source of stolen credit and debit cards put up for sale on underground markets. Brian Krebs, who runs the website, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Krebs wrote on his website that his preliminary analysis indicated the problem could affect all of Home Depot's 2,200 stores in the United States. He said several banks he contacted believed the breach could extend back to April or May of this year.

"If that is accurate - and if even a majority of Home Depot stores were compromised - this breach could be many times larger than Target," Krebs wrote.

In the Target breach, which hit the retailer during the important year-end holiday shopping season, hackers stole at least 40 million payment card numbers and 70 million other pieces of customer data.

The incident cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars and prompted numerous investigations by attorneys general and congressional hearings and inquiries. In May, the company ousted its CEO, Gregg Steinhafel, who has now been replaced by former Wal-Mart Stores Inc executive Brian Cornell.

Numerous companies have come under the spotlight for potential breaches in recent months.

In some situations, companies that conduct investigations into data breaches may not be able to come to a definitive conclusion. For instance, Sears Holdings Corp said in February that an investigation into a possible data breach did not reveal conclusive information.

Retailers have been taking steps to better protect customer data.

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Home Depot probing possible security breach | Video