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* From a press release…
Attorney General Lisa Madigan today warned consumers to be on the lookout for unauthorized charges in the wake of a massive data breach at Target stores nationwide.
Madigan said her office is looking into the breach of customers’ personal financial information and has contacted Target representatives to learn how many Illinois consumers are affected and what the company is doing to assist those customers.
“With today’s announcement by Target that as many as 40 million Americans credit and debit card information has been compromised, it is critical that consumers be vigilant in checking their credit card and bank account statements for any unauthorized charges,” Madigan said. “If you discover an unauthorized charge, contact your bank immediately to dispute it. Consumers in need of assistance can visit my website or contact my Identity Theft hotline.”
Madigan offered tips for consumers who believe they were impacted by the data breach:
Monitor your credit card and bank statements for unauthorized charges, especially consumers who used a credit or debit card at Target between November 27 and December 15.
If you see an unauthorized charge on your account, contact your card issuer right away using the toll-free number on the card to dispute the charges. Some card issuers might require that you follow up with a written dispute in order to receive a refund.
Even if you do not detect an unauthorized charge, you can contact your card issuer using the toll-free number on the card and discuss whether it is appropriate to cancel your card and obtain a new account number and card.
Beware of callers who claim to be with your card issuing bank. These calls may be a scam. Consumers should contact their bank first at the toll-free number on the back of your card before you disclose any personal information.
Madigan is also urging consumers to contact her Identity Theft Hotline at 1 (866) 999-5630 for more information or to learn how to respond to the data breach.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 12:26 pm
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What a nightmare. The dark side to speed and convenience is the possibility of months of aggravation clearing up after a mess like this.
I like cash. Everybody takes it and no one can track you or steal your identity.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 12:32 pm
word, and I thought I was the only cash user left out there.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 12:43 pm
Count me in with the cash is king crowd.
I was at a shop recently and the cashier told me he couldn’t accept cash at his register, credit or debit cards only. I’m standing there with a $20 bill in my hand and he’s looking at me like I’m holding a beaver pelt at the trading post.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 12:57 pm
I don’t like my numbers out there for strangers to ogle, and believe me they do.
Back during the dotcom boom, I worked for an online sporting goods startup. It was the year of the Mets/Yankees subway series and we were selling tons of fan junk.
The IT guys were taking screen captures of celebrities’ orders (with their numbers) and emailing them around to everyone they knew. “Wow, look how much Mel Brooks spent! Look how much Jerry Seinfeld spent!”
Believe it.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 1:08 pm
word, aa,
Yesterday at the post office I managed to jump the entire line because they opened another window that could only take cash … and I was the only one standing there with cash!
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 1:11 pm
The people having to deal with their data being compromised have my sympathy. I had one of those messes about 18 years ago when the bank compromised my debit card. Even when the banks try to clean it up, you still have problems for a while. Just be sure to stay on top of and double-check all transactions for a while.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 1:11 pm
What a strange coincidence for frequent commenters. I’m almost entirely cash-only also.
(I once worked in a credit card company.)
Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 2:27 pm
Uh-Oh, Deja-Vu all over again! I’ve had my card number stolen twice, once about 10 years ago, once about a year ago. First time someone hacked the BANK, and was charging on hundreds of cards all from the same bank. The second time, the credit card company put an emergency stop on my card and then called me. Their computer thought it was unusual I was charging near home and a half hour later charges were coming in from many locations in eastern Europe and South Africa. I didn’t have to pay, but items I bought on my old card number could not be returned on my new card. A big hassle!
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 2:38 pm
I wrap my cash in tin foil. lol. Cash is preferable, but oddly, I too am experiencing that it’s almost becoming harder to shop with cash. The “art” of making change has almost entirely left our civilization. We should bring back the Good Humor man to shore that up.
Comment by A guy... Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 3:17 pm
You fellas be careful with all that cash. Willy told me that he saw on Fox that Dick Durbin can read how many of those new 100 dollar bills you have in your wallet with that new satellite.
Maybe wrappin em’ up in foil might be a good idea Guy.
Comment by Madison Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 3:46 pm
I’m tellin’ ya….
Comment by A guy... Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 4:10 pm
Good to know there are a few of us left.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 4:52 pm
That’s what those new aluminum wallets are for! Lol
Comment by Mix_It_Up Thursday, Dec 19, 13 @ 6:03 pm
I’ve been trying to get on the Target website to check my account, but their website is working about as well as healthcare.gov
Comment by Pacman Friday, Dec 20, 13 @ 6:30 am