topic Re: Target Security Breach Fallout in Credit Cards

Target Security Breach Fallout

Lynnst — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:18:39 GMT

I had the misfortune to use my BOA Cash Rewards card and my Chase Southwest card at Target during the period of the security breach. With no notice, BOA “closed” my account and reissued a new card number. I discovered this when I went online to check my account. When I called to find out what was going on, a CSR explained that it wasn’t really closed – they just deactivated that number and issued a new card with a new number. I just can’t believe they did it without notifying me. The CSR said they mailed the new cards with an explanation. On the flip side – Chase sent me an email saying my current card is being replaced and that the current card will be honored until February 21st or until I activate the replacement card. Chase certainly wins in the customer service comparison…

Has anyone else experienced this?

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:31:06 GMT

This practice by BofA, as irritating and inconvenient as it may be for the customer, isn't out of the norm.

Banks want to replace their cards ASAP to minimize on losses and fraud. In order to do so, one of the best ways to do it is to reissue it and cancel the old numbers right away, rather than to take their own sweet time trying to contact customers first. Some customers may not be reached the first time, and it may take up to several days before the bank even gets a hold of them. This does make it inconvenient for the customer, especially if you are overseas.

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:25:38 GMT

Yes, I experienced the exact same situation that you described. The notification came by email about a week later. I just happened to log on to check on the status of my account, as I like to keep a close eye on things, and discovered that the account wasn't available. I called up the 800 number on the back of the card and the automated system told me the account was closed. I spoke to a CSR who explained that it was because of a security breach reported by a merchant (Target? I asked. Yes, was the answer.) and that they had already issued me a new card. The card arrived yesterday. You should be fine, but I agree that they should have informed customers sooner.

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

BearsAndTurtlesRtheBest — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:44:10 GMT

My DS used her WF Debit card last week at Target. Is it safe to use cards at Target now?

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

gdale6 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 22:36:15 GMT

@BearsAndTurtlesRtheBest wrote:
My DS used her WF Debit card last week at Target. Is it safe to use cards at Target now?

I would not be using plastic of any sort at Target and be paying with cold hard cash, not even check which they will convert to electronic....

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

RnJ — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 22:40:42 GMT

I wouldn't trust Target with a ten-foot pole, for quite awhile - at least until the senate hearings make their conclusions and until Target fixes their multiple issues with Target credit/debit cards, gift cards, backtracking on returns and refunds, admits their online shopping site is snafu'd, and comes clean about why they stored customers' data for so long and with whom they shared it with. JMO.

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

BearsAndTurtlesRtheBest — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 22:42:56 GMT

Yeah hopefully she didnt get herself into trouble, How would we know she got into a big mess?

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

Open123 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 23:14:48 GMT

As is usually the case, this breach could have been more widespread than what Target initially had reported.

There have been reports that personal information may have been compromised (home, phone numbers, email addresses, and even encrypted debit pin #s).

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

RnJ — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 23:35:35 GMT

Open123, those reports have already been confirmed. Target admitted the methods they used to email their customers for signing up to the credit-monitoring - the info they gathered was from previous sales, email addresses used for sign-ups, baby/wedding registries, surveys, online shopping, their Target card app info and god knows what else (employee applications anyone?), much of this on people who had not shopped or had anything to do with Target in years. Scanning DL's I'm guessing, is also a major contention but Target is sidestepping that one.

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

Open123 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 23:47:23 GMT

@RnJ wrote:Scanning DL's I'm guessing, is also a major contention but Target is sidestepping that one.

If they engaged in this practice, those compromised should start a class action suit and sue them for damages.

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 00:42:33 GMT

To answer the original question, I received a letter and an email from BofA earlier this month informing me that my "credit card information may have been compromised at an undisclosed merchant or service provider," so the account number was being replaced, a new card was being mailed out, and my current card would be active for another few weeks. (Oddly enough my card didn't arrive for a while afterward even though I've received replacement cards quickly in the past.)

OP, can you see when the account was closed or switched out? Perhaps it took a while for BofA to get their game in order, or maybe your card was identified as being at higher risk of fraud.

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

RnJ — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 01:37:55 GMT

BearsAndTurtlesRtheBest,

I would suggest your DS contact WF for their official advice. They may suggest to her they are actively monitoring for fraud, or may suggest reissuing her a new card. I honestly do not trust Target's word for anything regarding the breach dates, as there were thousands of complaints on their FB page that indicated the breach dates were both before and after what Target stated. Of course it's entirely possible that your DS' card is safe, but best to confirm with WF.

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

RnJ — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 01:39:29 GMT

Open123,

Target claims it is their "policy" to scan DL's for alcohol, cold meds, etc - cashiers claim they must have a manager overide the cash register in order to key in DL information (oh, the inconvenience, Target!).

I have yet to find a law that allows them to do this without disclosure, least of all without customer consent. Not that it doesn't exist, but I have yet to find it.

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

Lynnst — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:49:04 GMT

ducky - I wish I had received such a letter or email or any kind of alert. I know exactly when the card was closed. On Thursday evening I checked my account and it was fine. On Friday morning I decided to pay it off and when I checked it was gone. No notice. Poof. Gone. I'm VERY glad it didn't happen a few days earlier while I was out of state on vacation. It would have been WAY worse to find out about it while putting gas in the rental car on my way to the airport.

I still like the card and I will continue to use it once I get the replacement, I'm just glad it's not my only card.

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 17:44:44 GMT

@RnJ wrote:
Open123,

Target claims it is their "policy" to scan DL's for alcohol, cold meds, etc - cashiers claim they must have a manager overide the cash register in order to key in DL information (oh, the inconvenience, Target!).

I have yet to find a law that allows them to do this without disclosure, least of all without customer consent. Not that it doesn't exist, but I have yet to find it.

You know they could sell that information to insurance companies etc, here is an intresting article

http://consumerist.com/2013/03/18/why-does-target-need-to-scan-my-drivers-license-to-sell-me-nicotine-patches/

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

RnJ — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 20:59:34 GMT

Examples like that really tick me off, store policy over-rides any non-descript law.

The DPPA Act is not only written to confuse consumers, but it isn't specific enough to determine "permissible" regarding retailers - it allows permissible purpose for "re-sellers" of information to be exempt from the law. I've read dozens of class action lawsuits (Best Buy for example, scaned DL's under store policy for the purpose of returns without a receipt, Target is doing the same thing) - but those lawsuits are always dismissed in district and federal courts. Even more frustrating is that states are allowed to add additional amendments and protections for consumers regarding the act, but they don't. Frustrating!

Re: Target Security Breach Fallout

BearsAndTurtlesRtheBest — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 21:32:37 GMT

Ok thanks RnJ!