topic Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard in Credit Cards

Surprising message from Target Redcard

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:11:52 GMT

A few days ago I changed my mobile carrier, porting my number to the new carrier. Today I got an email from Target Redcard. I am surprised (well, amazed actually) that a) a carrier would inform them, knowing my number has been ported and b) the issuer would care!

I am a little concerned about what else might get impacted

For RedCard ending in XXXX

Hello LTL,

Your carrier notified us that your mobile phone number has been deactivated.

We’ve removed XXXXXXXXXX from your online profile.

To update your mobile phone number and enroll in mobile alerts, go to Target.com/myRedCard.

Thanks for using Manage My RedCard!

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

TheRedHat — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 21:14:36 GMT

I also received one of these from Target Redcard a few days ago because I changed to a new carrier. My Zelle account from one of my banks was also closed for the same reason. Keep in mind, I only changed carriers but my phone number was still the same.

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

SoCalGardener — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 21:22:42 GMT

That's bizarre! At least to me. How could the carrier... oh, wait, were you auto-paying your phone bill with the credit card in question? (I know nothing about this card, i.e., if it's a store or major credit card.) If not, how did they even know about this credit card?

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 21:30:15 GMT

@SoCalGardener wrote:
That's bizarre! At least to me. How could the carrier... oh, wait, were you auto-paying your phone bill with the credit card in question? (I know nothing about this card, i.e., if it's a store or major credit card.) If not, how did they even know about this credit card?

Mine is the debit card, so no bill pay. I had/have apparently registered my number for alerts on this card, but that's the case with nearly all my cards. I don't know if that was specially sent to the old provider for verification at some point. When I readded it now, just the usual text verification.

Given the carrier knows that the number is ported (it's that process that closes the account) informing anyone sounds strange to me.

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

gdale6 — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 22:25:24 GMT

Reality is there isnt anything they dont know if you are conducting your business online.

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

Rudy1 — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 02:33:00 GMT

That's nice that they do that so you don't forget. What most likely happened is they tried to send a message and it bounced or the name linked to that phone number changed.

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 04:00:03 GMT

@Rudy1 wrote:
That's nice that they do that so you don't forget. What most likely happened is they tried to send a message and it bounced or the name linked to that phone number changed.

No, the whole point of number porting is that is it basically transparent. Sending a message to my old (and current!) number works fine. And the message implies (not conclusively I admit) that the carrier initiated the conversation

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

Credit12Fico — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 04:40:56 GMT

@SoCalGardener wrote:
That's bizarre! At least to me. How could the carrier... oh, wait, were you auto-paying your phone bill with the credit card in question? (I know nothing about this card, i.e., if it's a store or major credit card.) If not, how did they even know about this credit card?

Most likely the card issuer subscribes to the service with the phone carriers. Since phone numbers are used for verification, it's important that the credit card company is aware when the phone number is potentially no longer linked to the cardholder.

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

UncleB — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 07:31:01 GMT

Chase does this as well; very occasionally there will be a post about it, here's one I was able to put my hand on: https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Amazing-how-quickly-CC-companies-learn-about-any-changes-you/m-p/4764189

When I changed providers last summer I got the same message from Chase, and Zelle was also deactivated for USAA until I did a profile update. I agree that it's uncanny how quickly the notifications came in.

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

NRB525 — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 08:29:26 GMT

I for one see this as a security feature. Most of the examples here relate to direct bank account access. Target Debit card. Zelle. The Chase example could be debit also.

On some of the "tell us your verification cell phone number" screens there is a paired field to specify your cell carrier. That may be also derived behind the scenes in some other cases that we don't see.

Target, as the target of a notorious data breach not that long ago, seems to have other significant controls over data one does not see everywhere.

Our cell phones have become a critical identification tool for many two-factor authentication methods. Someone spoofing your phone, after lifting your debit card info, would be a terrible combination. Knowing the carrier along with the cell number, if my theory is correct, would benefit that part of data security.

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

coldfusion — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 12:17:58 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
I for one see this as a security feature. Most of the examples here relate to direct bank account access. Target Debit card. Zelle. The Chase example could be debit also.

On some of the "tell us your verification cell phone number" screens there is a paired field to specify your cell carrier. That may be also derived behind the scenes in some other cases that we don't see.

Target, as the target of a notorious data breach not that long ago, seems to have other significant controls over data one does not see everywhere.

Our cell phones have become a critical identification tool for many two-factor authentication methods. Someone spoofing your phone, after lifting your debit card info, would be a terrible combination. Knowing the carrier along with the cell number, if my theory is correct, would benefit that part of data security.

BTW your theory is correct.

Re: Surprising message from Target Redcard

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 12:21:55 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
Chase does this as well; very occasionally there will be a post about it, here's one I was able to put my hand on: https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Amazing-how-quickly-CC-companies-learn-about-any-changes-you/m-p/4764189

When I changed providers last summer I got the same message from Chase, and Zelle was also deactivated for USAA until I did a profile update. I agree that it's uncanny how quickly the notifications came in.

OK, waiting for Chase! Now what happens if you move address, which to me is a bigger deal! I haven't seen reports on that, maybe just because that data is slower to update?