Target data breech

princessleia22

So, today Target announced that they had a security breech and someone got access to basically all credit and debit card info for purchased made in stores over the past month.  About 2 weeks ago, I had some fraudulent charges (for an escort service in London) made to my debit card.  I'm always very careful about where I use my debit card and looking back over recent charges, I could not figure out where anyone could have gotten my info.  I had only used it at big, brand name stores recently and my card never left my hand.  Any online shopping was done through Amazon, but on a different card anyway, since I try not to use debit for online purchases. Luckily, bank caught it early and called me, and my card got shut down immediately. I finally gave up trying to figure out how anyone got my info... until today.  The last place I shopped at prior to the fraudulent charges was Target... and I had been there a couple times during the questionable time period.  So, I suspect that Target is now the most likely culprit.  We are so trusting of these big chain stores to protect our information, but maybe we shouldn't be. Just had to rant about it.

melbelleup

Ugh! I read about that yesterday. Luckily I haven't shopped at Target in forever because there isn't one where I currently live. One time I had a person put my debit account into the negatives... it was an online Chinese website that someone apparently used my numbers for. I never ever used my debit card other than for like Netflix and other small things like Mcdonalds. I was sooo pissed.

climbingsingle

I just read about that too. Thankfully I think it's been a few months since I shopped at Target. But I was about to head there after work today. 

smalfrie19

The last time I shopped at Target it was with a debit card that is tied to a closed account..so they can try...but they wont get far .

bmydesigner

I had this happen to me too. Thankfully the bank caught it early enough. But it's still so ridiculous how we really can't trust to use our card anywhere. I'm just going to start paying for everything in cash...

lizandmark2014

Good to know. I was at Target in November shopping for a baby gift. Thanks for the heads up.

hellohkb

Scary. I almost always use cash, but I was going to go out and do some holiday shopping with my debit card. Unfortunately, when we are all out shopping, so are the hackers.

chibiyui

Ah crap. Now I'll need even more wine.

princessleia22

bmydesigner said:

I had this happen to me too. Thankfully the bank caught it early enough. But it's still so ridiculous how we really can't trust to use our card anywhere. I'm just going to start paying for everything in cash...

I've been debating switching to cash-only for a while now.  FI's card got hacked about a month ago too.  And now I think this may have pushed me further toward that decision.  I used to do automatic bill payments too, but already switched back to writing checks and changed  my accounts, after I learned that auto pay basically gave them all permission to access my accounts at any time.  I don't want to trust anyone with access to my accounts or info anymore.

KeptInStitches

Watching my account like a hawk ... yuck, and right before Christmas! Sorry to anyone this happened to -- I've had my number stolen a few times and it sucks.

climbingsingle

KeptInStitches said:

Watching my account like a hawk ... yuck, and right before Christmas! Sorry to anyone this happened to -- I've had my number stolen a few times and it sucks.

Me too. Just to be safe, I went through all of my transactions. 

I actually had my debit card number stolen after booking a hotel through Expedia. Which really sucks because I love Expedia. Thankfully my bank caught the charges and shut my card down. However, they didn't call me to tell me my card was now inactive. I found at out - the Target check-out line! Super embarrassing. 

KeptInStitches

If you want to be absolutely safe, cancel your card. I'd especially do that if you used a PIN with your debit card.

thelastdreamer

Wait, I hadn't shopped there in months but last night I did. Should I be concerned, or does the fact that it's public mean I'm safe because they've taken care of it?

thelastdreamer

Phew, ok I found this and it says it was Nov. 27 - Dec. 15

http://www.kare11.com/story/news/local/2013/12/19/target-security-breach-what-should-shoppers-do/4126351/

pinkcow13

Does this apply to online shopping at Target too? I made an online purchase at Target last week. I have been actively monitoring my account and so far so good. The news made it sound like it was something that happened in stores as the cards were swiped at the machine, and did not mention online sales but I don't know. Wonderful. And I never shop at target but I wanted to get a stupid furfriend for my little cousin.

KeptInStitches

Online shopping was okay, it was problems with the POS systems in the stores.

KPBM89

We live right next to a Target (literally), so we shop there all the time.  Neither FI or I ever use our PIN's there, but we definitely shopped there during that timeframe several times.  So far, we've just been checking our accounts every morning and night.  We keep track of all our spending daily anyway, just now we're keeping a super close eye on everything.

Where I used to work, the gas station next to the store was right off a major highway and truck drivers used those skimmers at the pumps to steal card numbers and sell them.  I wasn't affected, but several of my coworkers were.  Ever since then, I check my bank accounts daily JIC.

princessleia22

hoppersgirl25 said:

We live right next to a Target (literally), so we shop there all the time.  Neither FI or I ever use our PIN's there, but we definitely shopped there during that timeframe several times.  So far, we've just been checking our accounts every morning and night.  We keep track of all our spending daily anyway, just now we're keeping a super close eye on everything.

Where I used to work, the gas station next to the store was right off a major highway and truck drivers used those skimmers at the pumps to steal card numbers and sell them.  I wasn't affected, but several of my coworkers were.  Ever since then, I check my bank accounts daily JIC.

My FI got hacked by one of those skimmers in a soda vending machine a few months ago.

My bank has suggested that we open a second checking account.  So, we have one for paying bills via check, where we keep most of our money.  And we have one that is used just for debit card transactions or auto-payments.  That way if anyone gets ahold of our card information and hacks it, the majority of our money is safe and we still have our other account open for bills to be paid. It also would ensure that they don't spend all of our bill money.  I also know people that just use credit card instead of debit card for all purchases, so if it gets hacked it doesn't affect their actually cash money.  This also works good if you have a reward card, as long as you pay it off every month.