Attention Target Shoppers: Credit Card Data Stolen

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
21

I’ve seen articles that say Target will offer “free credit monitoring services to those who have been affected by the issue”. I don’t know how that will work, or if it applies only in certain states.

In the past I’ve received the free monitoring service from both my employer and my credit union due to security breaches. I wonder if major corporations have a bulk discount with the credit reporting agencies for just this kind of situation.

22

I shopped at Target with my Chase debit card on the 15th. Chase e-mailed me to notify me that:

  • I have zero liability for any unauthorized purchases that I notify them of
  • they will be looking out for anything odd
  • they are limiting ATM withdrawals on potentially-affected cards to $100/day and purchases to $300 per day - but you can always go to a bank to withdraw money in person, and some branches will be staying open later to assist customers
  • they are automatically issuing a new card

So I’m glad that they’re being proactive, and not cutting off a card that doesn’t (yet) show any fraudulent activity.

23

Stopped there on my way home today.

Bought less than $20 worth of stuff. Clerk scans 10% off at the register. Paid with a $20 bill. Noted that the 20’s slot in the register was stuffed to overflowing. Apparently a lot of people paying cash today. Couple behind me had less than $20 worth of stuff and woman had a $20 bill in her hand.

Bets there’s a fair few former Target IT people out looking for jobs. Wonder how this event is going to play out in their job futures, because frankly, if you worked for Target POS (point of sale) IT and you were fired/“left” in this window, I would not hire you for anything requiring any level of skill, security or diligence.