The group, who had been regularly using forged Visa Gift Cards to make purchases at Wal-Mart stores and then sell on the goods, were arrested after a three-month investigation according to the Leon County Sheriff's Office.

"This investigation is on-going and will likely produce additional charges and additional arrests," said the Office in a statement. "Detectives will also attempt to identify and notify any person whose credit card number was comprised by this group."

The breach of Heartland's systems, which processed cards for 250 000 merchant customers, had affected up to 60% of respondents to a survey by the Independent Community Bankers of America at the end of January.

Three lawsuits have now been filed against Heartland:
1. Chimicles & Tikellis
2. Berger Montague
3. Sheller P.C.