Target email sparks new security concerns for shoppers
Jan 17, 2014, 5:58 PM | Updated: 6:21 pm
Target has sent an email to millions of customers offering free credit monitoring, but many are dubious about it. (AP file)
(AP file)
Target’s efforts to reach customers who might have had their personal information stolen in a massive data breach seem to have backfired, after the company sent out what appeared to be a bogus email this week.
The email explains millions of customers may have had their data compromised and offers customers a year of free credit monitoring through Experian, which includes identity theft insurance.
It asks customers to click on a link to receive an activation code to sign up for the protection.
But given the company’s delayed disclosure that upwards of 70 million customers had their data stolen, it’s understandable many are leery of the email that came from a suspect email address.
“People are right to be suspicious,” says Christopher Budd, a Seattle-based threat communications manager with Trend Microsystems. “The short answer is you can’t know whether it’s bogus or not.”
Target has verified the email and offer is legitimate. While the company initially said the data breach impacted customers who shopped during the holiday’s, the company says it sent the email to any customer who shopped there in the past whose information was still on file because the hackers had access to it as well.
Budd advises using caution even with Target’s assurances. He suggests going directly to Target’s website rather than following the link in the email just to make sure it’s legit.
“The next big security concern with the Target situation is scammers using people’s awareness of the breaches as their bait to lure people to their scam and fishing sites.”
While Target is offering credit monitoring, Budd encourages consumers seek additional protection by signing up for identity theft protection since the stolen data can be used to cause far more damage than just a bogus charge.
“That will monitor not just your credit cards but other things and provide a much broader blanket of protection,” he says. And while it might cost you to sign up for that service, Budd says the insurance is a fraction of what it would cost you if your identity is stolen.
