4 Easy-to-Do Tips to Defend Against the Target Hacks

4 Easy-to-Do Tips to Defend Against the Target Hacks

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Jan 13, 2014

4 Easy-to-Do Tips to Defend Against the Target Hacks What should you do if you are a Target shopper, especially if you used your debit or credit card at Target stores between November 27, 2013 and December 15, 2013?

Don’t let your guard down. Remember, criminals now have three was to contact you.

  • If a person calls you claiming to be with your bank and references the Target hacks, hang up immediately and then call the toll-free number on your debit or credit card.
  • If you receive an email, do not click on any links. Go to www.target.com/databreach for all legitimate communication. Always type this URL into the bar manually; never just click the link.
  • Never respond to paper mail.

Be proactive; don’t just sit around and wait for something to happen.

  • Contact Target at 866-852-8680 if you suspect unauthorized activity on your account(s).
  • Inspect your bank and credit card statements thoroughly. Criminals will “test” stolen cards by spending just a few cents before using it for larger purchases.

Sign up for credit monitoring and identity theft protection.

  • Remember, Target is offering this for FREE!
  • If you don’t want to wait, do some Internet research, choosing monitoring and protection companies that are “Better Business Bureau certified,” or ask friends or family members for references.

If your debit or credit card information is saved at other websites (ie. Amazon, iTunes, Etsy, etc.), remove it. Some online retailers allow purchasers to bypass passwords if they know the last 4 digits of the card.

Bonus: Target is offering FREE credit monitoring through Protect my ID, a part of Experian. Here’s the link to sign up: https://creditmonitoring.target.com/#?v=1B19TW011314

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • AI Is Now the Leading Cybersecurity Concern for Security, IT Leaders

    Arctic Wolf recently published findings from its State of Cybersecurity: 2025 Trends Report, offering insights from a global survey of more than 1,200 senior IT and cybersecurity decision-makers across 15 countries. Conducted by Sapio Research, the report captures the realities, risks, and readiness strategies shaping the modern security landscape. Read Now

  • Analysis of AI Tools Shows 85 Percent Have Been Breached

    AI tools are becoming essential to modern work, but their fast, unmonitored adoption is creating a new kind of security risk. Recent surveys reveal a clear trend – employees are rapidly adopting consumer-facing AI tools without employer approval, IT oversight, or any clear security policies. According to Cybernews Business Digital Index, nearly 90% of analyzed AI tools have been exposed to data breaches, putting businesses at severe risk. Read Now

  • Software Vulnerabilities Surged 61 Percent in 2024, According to New Report

    Action1, a provider of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) solutions, today released its 2025 Software Vulnerability Ratings Report, revealing a 61% year-over-year surge in discovered software vulnerabilities and a 96% spike in exploited vulnerabilities throughout 2024, amid an increasingly aggressive threat landscape. Read Now

  • Motorola Solutions Named Official Safety Technology Supplier of the Ryder Cup through 2027

    Motorola Solutions has today been named the Official Safety Technology Supplier of the 2025 and 2027 Ryder Cup, professional golf’s renowned biennial team competition between the United States and Europe. Read Now

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.