Target Corp. is giving out advice on their customers whose credit card info got compromised by the recent security breach.
Credit card breach is one of the toughest situations a holder can ever experience and it is not something some 40 million Target customers would want for the Yuletide season.
According to The Washington Post , the retailing company admitted that it had suffered a massive data breach that affected millions of its customers who have physically paid a visit to its stores for the holiday season in November 27 to December 15.
However, though the incident was quickly resolved and the company's systems are now secured, customers' debit or credit card account names, numbers, expiration dates and the three-digit security codes, known as CVVs, were compromised.
If you are one of those millions victimized, here's what you have to do: First, since most of the credit card companies offer online checking of transactions, you can check your card's recent activities, not just for that time but for a long time. If you notice any suspicious transaction, you have to call your credit card provider right away and inform them.
Second, contact your credit card company and ask about a fraud alert, -- that will prompt them to take extra precaution before anyone could open an account in your name. Ask them also of free services they might be offering to customers whose information may have been breached like a free fraud alert service and a free access to your credit report.
According to JD Sherry, vice president of technology and solutions for the security firm Trend Micro, attacked debit card owners can opt to call their banks to have their personal identification number (PIN) changed. Though Target strongly implied that there is no sign that PIN numbers were also taken.
Aside from those precautions, Target has also set up a hotline number for those affected of the breach. They may call 1-866-852-8680.
