Attention Target Shoppers

Dave W · December 18, 2013, 07:06:02 PM

From security expert Brain Krebs earlier today: Major data breach at Target -- it may be one of the largest ever.

The AP now reports that the Secret Service is investigating.

Dave W · December 19, 2013, 09:13:28 AM

Target has confirmed that info on 40 million cards has been stolen.

Major headaches coming for people, banks and processors, and no doubt class action suits directed at Target.

I'll admit that I actually went to Target Thanksgiving night to snag a $20 item and used my Discover card. So glad I didn't use a debit card!

gweimer · December 19, 2013, 09:28:59 AM

I forwarded this to my daughter, and she says Chase had already contacted her for issuance of a new debit card.

westen44 · December 19, 2013, 11:16:39 AM

An article that may be of interest--

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/use-your-credit-card-target-heres-what-do-if-your-2D11775079

westen44 · December 19, 2013, 04:43:38 PM

Just been watching the NBC Nightly News and this was the lead story. Evidently, the magnitude of it all is becoming more apparent. They expressed concern that other stores that have nothing to do with Target may experience similar problems soon. I hope not.

Dave W · December 19, 2013, 09:15:09 PM

It's going to be a while before we find out just how bad it is. I'm just hoping the time period doesn't expand to before Nov. 27, since I used my debit card with PIN the day before.

rahock · December 20, 2013, 05:36:44 AM

I haven't been to Target in a while, but a year or so ago we got our credit card info hacked 3 times in 4 months. My hat is off to PNC bank, who was right on top of the situation each time.
Rick

Dave W · December 20, 2013, 09:04:18 AM

I'm wondering whether Target's creepy data mining could have played any part in this, inadvertently or not.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, read this.

Dave W · December 20, 2013, 09:16:21 AM

The latest from Brian Krebs about what's going on in the underworld with the stolen information.

westen44 · December 20, 2013, 11:42:43 AM

Probably a glimpse of things to come in the future, too. I've been saying for a long time I thought things like this might end up happening fairly frequently and on a large scale. I still hope I've been wrong, of course.

Dave W · January 10, 2014, 10:20:29 PM

In light of today's revelations, I'm convinced this has some connection to Target's creepy data mining I mentioned earlier. If the hackers have home addresses, email addresses etc., they didn't get that from point of sale terminals. The hackers were probably well aware of how much data Target keeps and mines. And Target has been less than forthcoming about all this.

eb2 · January 11, 2014, 07:17:42 AM

Well, on a basic level the data hackers are far more up front with the info they got. In the last week I have had several edible gift baskets and $10k worth of furniture ordered for delivery to a residence in the Bronx. This is from the Target hack, and the card issuer's security guys said the early pattern is ordering stuff for delivery to Miami and the Bronx. I got a new card, and I get to monitor my statements and change all my passwords for a while.

Dave W · January 11, 2014, 12:35:26 PM

Wow, that's too bad. The Discover I had used was reissued without my having to ask, there had been no suspicious activity but the issuer just did a batch reissue to be on the safe side.

Fortunately I've never had a Target Visa or Red Card or any reason for them to have my email or home address. Then again, considering the way they mine data, who knows what they might have.

Last night's story on WCCO featured a marketing consultant who said Target ought to be more forthcoming and ought to be doing more. Agreed, but she also said "Target didn't cause the problem, everybody knows that..." WRONG! Target didn't cause the breach itself, but they caused the problem by compiling massive amounts of data and having lax security.

eb2 · January 12, 2014, 03:48:37 PM

I agree with that to some degree, but the larger retailers all do that to some degree. I think Radio Shack was the first to take heat as they were asking for home info under the pretense of a mailing list but using it to track personal shopping. They all do now. I didn't use Targets card but they have info on shopping and the pharmacy. That's a big pile of info so the hack temptation is huge. What is happening is the info is being sold off in batches. There is more to come!

Dave W · January 12, 2014, 07:22:14 PM

They all do but not nearly as much as Target. Now I'm hearing that invasion of privacy suits will be filed. Serves them right.

Yeah, I do remember being pestered at Radio Shack, even if you were buying a 50 cent part. I never gave my address. If they persisted asking for my name, I told them I was Mr. Cash.