If you used a credit or debit card at Target over the holidays, you no doubt know your account could be vulnerable to false charges down the road, thanks to a security breach with the retailer.
Now, Target has stepped up to help its consumers weather the uncertainty. All Target guests who shopped in U.S. stores can take advantage of FREE credit monitoring at Experian for one year. The first step is to sign up online here. You have until April 23, 2014 to sign up to receive an activation code for the service, which you must redeem by April 30. That’s only 48 hours to take advantage of the offer.
Target is saying you’ll get your activation code by email within 72 hours to use at this site. The one year of free monitoring membership to ProtectMyID includes:
Credit Report: You will get a free copy of their Experian credit report.
Daily Credit Monitoring: You will receive alerts for one year that show changes, including new inquiries, newly opened accounts, new derogatory information (think delinquencies or medical collections) to your Experian credit report over the next year.
Identity Theft Resolution: If confirmed that you have been the victim of identity theft, you will be assigned a dedicated, U.S.-based Experian Fraud Resolution Agent who will walk you through the fraud resolution process.
Identity Theft Insurance: If you have been a victim of identity theft relating to this incident, you will immediately be covered by a $1 million insurance policy that can help you cover certain costs, including lost wages, private investigator fees, and unauthorized electronic fund transfers for one year.
You will NOT receive a credit score through this offer.
How you prove you were a Target shopper during the affected is a more nebulous direction.
Our thanks to Just Shred It on 96th Street for bringing this to our attention!