Target Shoppers: Security Breach Affecting Millions
Attention Target shoppers! If you made any credit or debit purchases in-store between November 27th and December 15th, you may want to check your bank or credit card statements very closely. It appears that unauthorized access to Target’s payment card data during that time period may have allowed suspicious charges affecting millions of credit and debit cardholders. Keep in mind that this breach only happened in-stores and did not affect any online purchases. Head on over here for more details on how it may have affected you.
Were you affected by this security breach?
This might be a dumb question, but if I don’t see any charges on there now, how long should I keep checking? Or should I just cancel the card and get a new one?
if you are sure you shopped there with it, just cancel and get a new one. coming from someone that has been through this twice so far, once with checks once with credit cards, it’s a horrible sickening thing to go through. you don’t want to chance it
I agree with Tilla. If you have shopped at Target get a new card. My bank automatically freezes the card for instances like this. Unfortunately I’ve had to get 3 new cards in the last two years.
We are canceling our red card since we have the debit version and we don’t want anyone to access our checking account. The only issue is that we can’t get through to Target…
Oh fabulous! The one time I shop at target all year!
We were notified by out Bank to let us know that someone in Ukraine was trying to use our credit card no#’s to purchase several items! okayyyy Ukraine!!! I’m soooo glad we had a fraud alert posted on our cards prior to this Target incident.
i’d cancel my redcard if i could ever get through!! numbers continually engaged. we only used the red card and a bank debit card during that period. both are getting cancelled. ugh.
I just got a target red debit card. I just signed up last week and literally got the card yesterday. Still at risk ? Haven’t used it yet
Just had BofA cancel my debit card..but they told my husband it was mostly the target debit redcards that were affected…..just to be on the safe side..i would cancel it. As for your regular credit cards that’s much easier to dispute charges where your debit cards -they drain your account. Sad…but that’s the world we live in now. 🙁
you should be fine if you haven’t used it but it’s never a sure thing, maybe best to call them when you can get through
Just talked to my bank, they said CANCEL your card. Even if you don’t see charges yet, they will likely charge your account in the future after everything settles down. She said they will count on people not wanting to cancel at this busy shopping time of year.
Good Advice! I’m going to do just that. I’m saddened and disappointed that Target has not revealed the locations of the breaches. When this happened to Barnes and Noble, they revealed the locations the readers were compromised which helped their customer base.
The press release said virtually all stores were compromised.
My local store said that no one at their location was involved. So, not every store…
I was wondering why Gap sent me a new card earlier in the week due to fraudulent activity. I’m glad they’re on the ball!!
Is Gap involved in all of this?
Instore only right?
Yes, this only affects in store customers. They hacked the software involved in swiping your cards. This does not affect online transactions.
Wait I’m confused. Is this only for Target debit/credit card holders or any kind of debit/credit card ?!?!
It’s for any kind of debit or credit card that was swiped at Target stores (not online) between 11/27 and 12/15.
All debit cards used during that time period.
debit AND credit of any type visa / mastercard/ American express/ discover
I tried calling the number on the back of my Red Card to request a new one, but the line just beeps. So does the number for the Target credit card. Anyone know how to request a new card/account????
I am also trying to cancel my redcard. The line seems dead. Thanks a lot Target! Seriously considering boycotting this store! I’m so mad!
Janie, it’s not Target. It’s a hacker. The same thing happens at gas stations and other stores. They can’t prevent everything.
The problem is that is impossible to get through to Target’s Red Card services. I understand that they are likely getting hammered but this is a serious concern. I would like to cancel my card and we may not get another one. The 5% we save isn’t worth this…
I shopped on Dec 12 and even tho I don’t see anything on my account I blocked and reordered a new card. I want to be save then sorry and then freaking out where all my money went and then have to wait for the money to be put back into my account! Do it now then later!!!
does this apply to California Residents also? Ive been to target atleast 2-3 times within that time frame.
Yes it affected everyone is the United States.
Yes, anyone anwhere in the U.S. who used a credit OR debit card at Target between 11/27 – 12/15.
I used a Chase card there & they’re issuing me a new card as of today. They did mention they have their 24 hour fraud monitoring service, but I feel better knowing my old card in cancelled. Otherwise I’ll always be worried. Worth the 5 minute phone call.
Cant get through with the 1-888 no nor online.
They got me for $250. I live in Arkansas but my card was used in a Target in New York. I have never been to NY. Already contacted my bank …
weird that they used it at a target store…they don’t have physical cards they should only be able to make online purchases
The news said they make fake cards. It was my debit cards they used.
They have made fake physical cards using the info that was stolen so thieves can make in store purchases & online purchases.
I live in Washington and purchases were made in Illinois. I was told a card was physically present for the transaction. These people are becoming slick.
They can make a fake card.
If they have all of the information, they can actually clone the card and create a new physical copy. 🙁
Lori, was this with the debit card or credit card?
My debit card
I was one of their victims 🙁 7 transactions at a Target store for $106 a piece…all within a few minutes of each other. Luckily my bank contacted me right away and reversed the charges a few days later. I hate theives.
Omg thank you Collin for posting this because I would be clueless about this! My 2 year doesnt let me watch tv or news and when I would watch its for 5 mins! I always get all the updates from online and this site!!
I had no idea either!
I hope those dates are accurate because I shopped at target on Nov 25 and 26th. If those dates are right I am safe by 1 day. I hate that people think its OK to steal from others.
I shopped there on the 26th, when I opened a redcard debit & I haven’t been back since. No strange charges on my bank account.
I hope so. my last debit purchase was 11/25 but it takes a few days for the charge to come out of the bank. who knows if the data in cyber-limbo was affected too :/
I saw a post on Target’s Fb page, a woman that shopped on the 26th got hacked. So please check your accounts!
They got me for $23. Chase fraud department handled the situation and reversed the charges. Hope they catch the jerk faces!
How do you know? I have 4 charges in a row that posted Monday the 16th, but I don’t remember going there that many times. They are small charges like $15-$20. My account doesn’t tell me which Target it was, I have the debit card.
call your bank, they can tell you the address of the target and which dates the charges were made. though they also posted at the same time, they may have been made days apart because some trnasactions take longer to clear
Thanks, I’ll call my bank now. I just don’t remember making that many purchases, but I do go there often and know it takes awhile to post.
Also, was the $23 at a Target store or did they purchases take place elsewhere?
You’d have to go through your receipts. I keep all mine, even cash, in a shoe box. I pulled my last target debit purchase and compared to my bank acct. Nothing fishy yet, but i am going to request a new card anyway just to be safe.
On my chase statement there is a store ID with each of the purchases I made. I also use receipt hog and so was easily able to compare the charges at my bank with the ones I made.
I checked mine and I had multiple small charges that went on the same day and it was an online purchase that they broke up into several shipments, so I had multiple charges b/c they only bill you when it ships. So intstead of $200, I had $56 and $99 and $45.
Why does the Target site specifically mention Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina and Massachusetts? Is this only where the problem is?
I was told by my Target store in Wisconsin that is affects ALL target stores.
My hubby was mailed new debit cards for his business and personal accts and we didn’t know why. When I called the bank about the target incidence, I asked them about my husbands cards (he never uses them for shopping, just gas, fast food, lowes. ) Apparently, a local branch of a chain fast food place was compromised. So glad the banks stay on top of these things. My acct was not affected yet, but I’ll be changing my card.
Last time I shopped there was Nov. 21…shew! I had to deal with this for the first time a few months ago. Someone got my info online somehow and made 4 different transactions. Ranging from just a few dollars to $283 for an airline ticket! Hope none of you have to deal with that, it was awful!
This whole thing is mind boggling and extremely frustrating but it has given me pause to reevaluate our monitoring of our accounts. As individuals we must stay vigilant in safeguarding and double checking. For those saying boycott Target, it can happen anywhere. Not long ago a pizza place employee working the drive thru was writing in a dollar or 2 on each signed credit card receipt where a tip wasn’t left or marked thru and pocketing the cash out of the drawer. His drawer balanced and most didn’t notice the minimal amount. Fraud and stealing is EVERYWHERE!!! I’m thankful Target has acknowledge this and is helping customers.,..now if only I could get thru to cancel my red card:) Hug your loved ones, while this is difficult at the moment it too shall pass.
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but if I used my card at a Starbucks inside a Target could it have been compromised? The receipt says Target at the top so I wasn’t sure if it was considered a charge at Target or Starbucks. Thank you!
Call your bank and see what they tell you to do, I would not take any chances.
probably yes, they use the same computer system to process the debit transactions and have the same cash registers.
So do I need to cancel my debit card? I have a target debit card I use there, but have not used my bank debit card at the store. Are they linked or is the target debit card only linked to your bank account?
talk to your bank to make sure. it is my understanding that they only have the information of physical cards used, IE your target debit card. but be on the safest side and ask bank what to do
Yes, cancel and request a new card. those people stole all data, which includes your personal pin # which is a direct link to your bank acct. they then make a fake card to use in store using your pin. then theyll probably return the items and get cash back!!
This is why I don’t have a bunch of cards. The rewards aren’t worth me keeping up with everything (plus, we aren’t very big consumers). I can easily keep up with my one debit card and one credit card (especially the credit card- we never use it, it’s for dire emergencies where I’m stranded and my debit card doesn’t work or something). Lessens the chance of being hacked, lessens the chance of me not seeing it happen.
Good for you only having two cards. You do realize if u would have shopped at target with your debit or credit card your still affected!!!! I think your being rude and condescending! I have only a debit card and I shopped at target so I need a new card too.
I think Em is saying that she doesn’t have the mental capacity to keep up with more than two cards.
She is also working against herself by refusing to build good credit, which would have been easy to do – use the credit card to buy things and pay bills, spend within what is in your bank account, pay off the entire credit card bill every month, and thus never pay a dime of interest while earning rewards for things you would already pay for. She either isn’t educated enough about basic finance, or she isn’t proactive about her affairs.
I totally disagree with you! We have a target card and only use it at target…charges anywhere else that are on that card are fraudulent no questions asked! Also, ad we have the credit card, it is targets money that is on the line not my money! With debit cards you have to fight to get your money back! We are responsibleand pay every bill in full every month…it is all about planning and self control!
Everyone calm down. I think I’ve chatted with Em on here before and she is very nice! She is just saying to keep it simple. Be nice!
Has anyone been able to get through to cancel their redcards????
I have been trying, no luck
Ive been on hold for 35 min. May be worth it to wait until the afternoon to call after the craziness has dies down!!:(
Is this just Target debit or credit OR ANY debit or credit card??? Please help!
any credit or debit card
I am wondering the same thing. I guess I will cancel my Red card, this makes me sick!
ANY card swopped in-store between those dates.personal Debit, credit or red card.
all of the above.
Any credit card or debit card used in their store from 11/27-12/18.
Whoa! I’ve used my Target cc, MC, & debit card a few times in that time period until last night! Thank you for posting. I was at Target last night too & of course, they do not notify you via email, verbally, or mail! Ugh!!
I just called Target and canceled my target card and asked to get a new one. It’s better to just be safe than sorry. Like everyone else is saying charges could show up down the road if you don’t cancel your account.
Did you call your local target to cancel or the number on the back of your card?
I just kept calling the number on the back of my target card. It took about 6 times for it to go thru and I had to wait about 20 minutes on hold to talk to someone. I hope you all get thru!
What phone number did you use? I haven’t been able to get through all morning. Thanks!
What a coincidence, last time Collin posted about the RedCard I brought up the fact of all the information they would have on you especially with the debit card and a good representation of Collin’s readers didn’t care they would have ALL your banking information as long at you got the 5% savings. Is that 5% really worth the worry. People think more before you just hand over your whole life. A little security in to your information goes a long way in this world.
Probably not the best time to gloat.
I agree that this sounds like gloating. This also impacts people that are NOT using the Red Cards, and are using their own personal banking debit cards. Most people did not give Target any information other than what was included in the form of a plastic payment.
I think that you are trying to address that people need to be mindful of giving out personal information, which I agree with. Unfortunately hackers have become very smart with stealing, and make it very difficult to watch out for every possible opportunity. This also shows that it is important to always check your accounts, because they can so easily get hacked.
I agree Amber! Not a good time to gloat animity. I didn’t sign up for a Red Credit Card to get the 5%, I signed up for the free shipping.
This isn’t just affecting just red card holders. It’s ALL debit/credit cards, so having a target debit card isn’t any more unsafe then a regular bank debit card.
There are 2 versions of the RedCard. Debit and credit. I have the RedCard credit card. I don’t have any debit cards, only ATM cards. If you have the RedCard credit card, Target does not have your bank info.
This isn’t just Target Credit card and Debit card holders.
I am a big believer that life happens to everyone. Animity I don’t think it’s ever a good idea to pat yourself on the back because stuff happens to everyone. I have a TON of sympathy for all of you who have received fraudulent charges. It’s always those that gloat who have to eat their words later because crap will happen to you when you least expect it.
I converted to all cash months ago. My spouse wanted to use the debit red card for the 5% off. Now he is at work. He has been on the phone all morning trying to get a hold of someone at the bank for the red debit card to access his account and cancel the card. There is a cluster of charges he needs to investigate. Until then, our account remains compromised and there is little that can be done other than to move the “cushion” money out of our account until that card is cancelled.
Thankfully, our credit reports are frozen so nothing further can be done. Target should advise people who have had their credit compromised to file police reports and have their credit frozen. Who know what more information has been accessed that Target is not sharing at the moment?
The 5% has saved me over $300 this year alone. That is absolutely worth the security breach that will cost me nothing but a few moments of my time to order a new card number.
$300 is actually NOT worth compromising your credit store. You should probably look at the entire picture here.
My credit score is fine. The problem is easily taken care of. Everyone gets way too bent out of shape if you ask me.
I DO NOT HAVE A RED CARD …
It is all credit and debit cards that are affected not just target redcards.
Animity, you are missing the big picture. It is not just Target card holders that are being affected, it is anyone who used ANY credit or debit card in a Target store during that time period. Unfortunately, this isn’t an incident isolated to Target. Hacking/ identity theft can happen in a variety of ways. You have to stay vigilant and watch all of your accounts. I cancelled my non Target credit card to be safe. I hope everyone affected gets things resolved quickly!
I agree with everybody else, the gloating is really unnecessary and insensitive to those affected. ALL card users were affected here-not just Target Redcard holders. Furthermore, Target is by far not the only or the first company to have an issue like this happen. I am going to wait a little while to cancel my card because everybody seems to be on hold and I am sure it will take forever to get through, but I will cancel my current card to be safe. I used to use cash only when I was a waitress, it’s not nearly as easy now but I have a very limited number of cards that I use. I feel really badly for the people who were affected, I have had my information compromised, and though it was resolved it is still not fun! I hate having to go through the change to a new card # but I am so thankful my bank has caught any possible issues and corrected them before it becomes a major problem!
At least you tried to warn people Animity, before this happened. It’s not like you could force them to listen!
At least one person gets what I am saying. Thanks Potato! Also people don’t ever use your debit card anywhere only credit or cash. Way easier to deal with a credit card company than a bank. Plus on top of that having all your money gone you get to fight with the bank to get all your money back. I am not gloating just being realistic people. And $300 in savings a year is NOT worth my identity being stolen, credit ruined and lifetime of fight to get my good name back. Because yes, you will be fighting in the rest of your life. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Oh and for the people that put words into my mouth of about not being sensitive umm totally wrong I feel for ever.single.person. That is why I said something in the earlier post this year. I did try to warn people or at least make them think twice before doing it.
I think they just don’t want to accept these things as reality because it is at least a pain and at most a tragedy to go through, so they reject it as being real. I was actually raised by a person who was/is the same exact way… if I don’t want it to be true, it never happened/happens. Yeah I cut ties with her right quick. I can’t deal with someone like that on a regular basis.
Well I guess I need a new debit card. Target is going to lose do much money from all these fraudulent charges and people not wanting to shop there.
I feel bad for them since in my opinion it can happen at any store these days.
I have used my credit card on 12-01 and my debit on 11-25. Guess need to call my cc company and to be safe my bank. Sorry for any of you that were affected and some of us that weren’t affected and used our cards we will be worried:-(
so i got my red debit card online on nov 24 and did not recieve the card to swipe in store. but i got an ipad and read out my card number to the cashier and she entered it. does that mean it can be hacked? and theres nothing on my account except the purchase i made from target.so am i safe if i didnt swipe?
This may be a dumb question but does it affect Target Visa gift cards?
I called my bank (Wells Fargo) and I decided not to cancel my card right now since they do monitor the transactions and if a charge is from overseas, a larger amount then normal, etc they flag the card. I really can not be without a working debit card right now due to the holidays. I will probably request a new card in a few weeks but I am just going to keep an eye on the account. This really is the worse time for something like this to come up.
I’m not cancelling either. I don’t have any charges and if I bought something on that card, making a return after Christmas to a cancelled card number is hard! I’ll wait it out.
THANK YOU Emily for pointing out the returns issue. I hadn’t thought of that. I’m waiting as well.
if they return to a closed card number it still posts a credit to the account with a new number. I have never had an issue with this before. my issue is stores like kohls/target where I don’t keep receipts because I know they can scan my method of payment to pull up transaction. blah, hope I don’t have any returns
I have Wells Fargo too and I didn’t want to do it but they’re mailing me a new one and if you go to the branch they’ll give you a temporary!!! Didn’t take me long at all.
I did the same thing. Canceled and requested a new card from Wells Fargo & then went into my local branch to get a temporary card which only took a few minutes. I’d rather be safe than sorry!
This was just on our local news…. https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/24263154/use-your-credit-card-at-target-heres-what-to-do
Call your bank and check that they have fraud alert. The bank should notify you of suspicious transactions. Make sure they have the correct phone number. I just called and had not shopped at Target but my contact info was completely wrong. I’ve had my cc number hacked twice from online purchases. Once the cc company caught it, the other time someone got $2000 worth of purses in NYC. I wasn’t responsible for the charges, thankfully.
Finally got through to target red card and she told me they will not be able to get into accounts for at least 2 hours and to call back then. They are updating their systems. She could barely speak english and seemed to act like this is really no big deal you don’t even need a new redcard Target has the problem taken care of. Left me feeling even more insecure.
Most of the customer service lines are jammed.
call us:
For REDcard, call 1-800-755-5856.
For outside of the U.S., call 1-612-307-8622.
Call the outside of the U.S. number. I got through in like 5 minutes.
In addition, call Experian and put 90 day fraud alert on you credit accounts. They will call you if suspicious activity takes place.
Thanks Janet! I was able to get through on the 8622 # after a few minutes.
Thanks for posting this number. I actually got through. It’s a miracle.
I just got through to cancel my red card. I called the red card services number on the website, not the back of my card. It took at least 20 tries to not get a busy signal, I finally got through and was hung up on while on hold for 10 minutes, then I called again and finally got through… I was on hold about 20 minutes until someone finally came on to help me.
Did you end up canceling your card? I did even though they advised me it was not necessary.
I called 888-729-7331. Keep trying if you get a busy signal. Then was on hold for about 10 min. Be kind to the reps, it’s not their fault!!!!
Debit card cancelled. What a mess! My bank advised me that if I have a red card linked to my checking acct then I should get a whole new bank acct number. Thank goodness I don’t have a red card. That could get really messy.
so they think that bank information was stolen too??
not about target. Bonton changed me on my City cc. i hvnot purches anything on that date! where i should call Vonton or my bank.?
the bank that owns your credit card, so Citi
Some people are commenting on Target’s Facebook page that they are able to get into their RedCard accounts through mobile apps. I used the Target iPad app and was able to see the last purchase on my Target Debit, which fortunately was mine. I was also able to change my pin so that if someone tries to use the card going forward they shouldn’t be able to. This will hopefully buy me some time until I can get through to cancel and order a new card.
I dont believe changing the pin will help…your card can easily be used by Credit. No pin required.
No, the Target DEBIT Card cannot be used as a credit card. Its only a check card, cannot process as a credit. The only way you can complete the purchase is to enter your PIN #.
Just canceled my only two credit cards (both not Target cards). It’s a pain because one was my membership card to Costco too! Oh, well, I guess I’m done Christmas shopping!
Happened to us.
I was recovering from a surgery and so hubby just went there to get milk and eggs on Black Friday (as thats the store close to home) – we had 2 charges of about $160 from someplace in Sacramento, CA and we reside on the east coast.
Our bank promptly put our account on hold and called us. We immediately cancelled our cards and asked for new ones.
This all happened yesterday – and we read this in the news today.
I spent a sleepless night – as this is the first time something like this happened to us. I want to go ahead and get the Identity theft protection done immediately.
I just hope this gets sorted out and not a lot of damage is done.
There are two target.com red debit card charges on spouses account for $34.00. We did not make these charges so we’ve been hit.
So if I didn’t use my redcard or debit card during that time, I’m safe?
if you didn’t use any of your accounts at target during that time you are safe…debit, credit, target cards
Not necessarily. I’d keep a viligent eye on your bank & credit card statements. A friend of mine, when I was talking to her last night, used her Target debit card a few days before the 27th and she was hit with over $500 in charges. Her husband had just gotten paid too. Only problem for her is that the funds won’t be put back into her account for 30 days and she put bills in the mail. Had to call those CO’s to let them know her checks might decline. Just awful 🙁
ANY CARD used at target during those dates is at risk, not just target cards. This is a mess but exposes that this can happen to us anytime. If you used ANY card to make a purchase at target during the specified dates, call and have new cards issued, ESPECIALLY if it was a card linked to your checking acct. In addition, call one of the credit reporting agencies and have them put a 90 fraud alert on your acct.
Knowing now how vulnerable we all are to being victims of fraud when we use cards, be it debit or credit, make sure you get you annual credit report. It’s free once a year. Make sure you check your bank statements REGULARLY. Make sure your financials are organized so that when something happens, you can catch it quick. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! It is a shame this has happened at Christmas but continue to do good to others and serve others.
good advice all around Janet