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

• By Ginger Hill
• Jan 13, 2014

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