Secondary Scams to Follow Massive Data Breach at Target

Financial Info of 40-Million Shoppers Compromised

by John Michaelson/TNS

AUSTIN, Texas – The massive data breach at Target Stores that exposed debit and credit information for millions of shoppers is leading to even more dangers ahead.

Nancy Crawford, director of marketing and communications for the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South, says scammers will now use this case as a backdrop to reach out to people by phone and email.

“Something this highly publicized makes the opportunity great for scammers to take advantage of this and pretend to be from Target, or a bank or credit card issuer, phishing for your personal information,” she explains.

The breach impacts guests who made credit or debit card purchases between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15.

Target says it takes the privacy of shopper information very seriously and worked swiftly to resolve the incident.

Target is also telling those who think they might be affected to be vigilant about their credit and debit accounts – and Crawford warns the risk is real.

“Because according to a Javelin Research study in 2013, one out of four consumers who were notified that their information was a part of a data breach, did become victims of identity theft,” she points out.

Crawford adds with the ever-growing number of identify theft crimes, staying aware of frauds and scams is something that folks should do year-round.