Fake Target Discount Emails Link To Fraudulent Sites
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Target is apologizing to customers for its widespread data breach by offering a discount to everyone this weekend.
But on Saturday, some of the emails customers received may have been part of a phishing scam.
According to the Wall Street Journal, fake emails were sent out Saturday that looked close to the real ones.
But instead of linking people to credit bureau websites, the sites were fraudulent.
Experts say one thing that would suggest a scam is a strange email address. The official email should be from a "@target.com" address.
And the email should be addressed to your name, not a general "Dear Guest."
The Minneapolis-based super store says "very few" reports of fraud have been reported after hackers accessed customers' credit card information.
However, the person who first exposed the problem says thieves are flooding the black market with the stolen information.
About 40 million of Target shoppers' credit and debit card numbers have been stolen since Thanksgiving.
The breach reportedly involved nearly all of Target's U.S. stores.
Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel did send a letter saying customers won't be held responsible for fraudulent charges.
And anyone who shops at Target through Sunday will get a 10-percent discount.
Target says it's added extra staff to handle customer calls.
It also suggests shoppers monitor their accounts and call their credit card company if they see anything suspicious.
