Have you ever purchased online from Target, or signed up for their loyalty program?

[herding cats]

I'm spreading this PSA around after being notified today. If for any reason Target has ever obtained your name, phone number, address or email you're now one of the people involved in the second wave of their security breach. When I say ever, I mean ever in the history of the store. That's what they told me when I called. They don't know how far back this could go. I made an online purchase more than a year ago which gave them my information and led to the email today notifying me I was involved in the breach. They're offering a year of free credit monitoring via Experian's ProtectMyID for all those whose data was taken. Which is nice, I guess.

I'm honestly not sure what all a person can do with your name, address, phone number and email, but they must have some uses in mind since they've went to all the trouble to steal them. My best guess would be phishing scams. So, if you fall into this group, even if you have not yet gotten the email, be extra careful going through your emails and go the extra mile to verify everything.

Some information on what exactly what phishing scams are.

[NightWatcher]

1. I thought it was funny when they said that personal info had been compromised

Sure, I've used my credit card in store, but I've never given my address, social, phone....

Target also has a pharmacy. I wonder what of that information they had compromised. I would think that if manipulated, trouble could come from those records being lost.

[herding cats]

2. I hadn't considered that about the pharmacy.

One more thing to worry about now. I'm still not sure I trust Target that my CC information wasn't stored someplace and was also stolen.

[woodsprite]

3. Well, they can apply for more credit if they get the right info.

Our job had a breech of PNPI, so we're already on a 3 year watch from that.

Thanks for the heads up. Hubby was going to ignore the email he received from Target because he hadn't shopped their during the Black Friday to whenever breach. That explains why he got it then. As soon as I found out about the Black Friday breach, I called my bank and had a new card issued for myself since my daughter and I had definitely shopped there. As soon as I mentioned I had been shopping at Target, they said "no problem" and cancelled/reissued a card. Now it looks like hubby should have his card replaced as well.

He thought the Target email was a phishing scam (although the link looked legit) because it didn't address him by name and he hadn't shopped there in the last 3-4 months. We were warned at work that there are bogus emails claiming they are trying to help Target customers, but they don't look like they come from Target.

[In_The_Wind]

4. No.

[Blue Diadem]

5. It may involve other stores now too.

http://www.toledonewsnow.com/story/24479535/target-credit-card-hacking-may-include-other-stores

The malware responsible for a cyber-security breach affecting Target stores may be more widespread than originally thought.

An international and nearly undetectable malware may have corrupted point of sale systems of multiple retailers.

A bulletin distributed to retailers by the Department of Homeland Security suggests the shocking holiday breach affecting Target stores across the country has "potentially infected a large number of retail operations" - a cyber attack that has already compromised the credit card data of 40 million Target customers and the information of up to 70 million more.
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I also read a news piece earlier today, can't find it now but found a different one, that if you've done business with them within the last 10 yrs, your information could be at risk. I wonder if this includes their optical dept.

http://www.wfsb.com/story/24475081/target-breach-could-impact-customers-who-shopped-years-ago