Target hit by massive data breach after Black Friday

Target has confirmed it was hit by a major data breach involving 40 million of shoppers’ credit and debit card information.

Customers who visited any of Target’s stores between November 27 and December 15 are at risk of having their credit and debit card information stolen.

Target said what to do if you visited one of their stores during that timeframe:

1. Closely monitor your credit and debit card statements for any suspicious activity.

2. If you find anything suspicious, immediately contact your bank. You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission to report incidents of identity theft or call the FTC at (877) 438-4338.
3. Check your credit report. If you find information that appears to be fraudulent, request that the credit reporting agency delete that information from your credit report file. You can get a free copy of your credit report once a year from one of the three credit reporting agencies including Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.
4. Add a fraud alert to your credit report file with one of the three credit reporting agencies. That means creditors will be extra vigilant in protecting you, though it may delay your ability to obtain credit.
5. To reach Target directly concerning the breach and precautionary steps you should take, call (866) 852-8680. The company says as many as 40 million credit and debit card accounts may have been compromised. Information that may have been stolen includes customers’ names, card numbers and three-digit security codes.pom42RDo_wE