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SALT LAKE CITY — The Target data breach put up to 110 million customers at risk for identity theft and has prompted a new wave of email, text, and telephone scams.
Many people have been receiving emails that appear to be from Target but turn out to be phishing scams. Dozens of KSL TV viewers sent tips about receiving fraud emails this week alone. So how do you know if something is legitimate or not?
"It's scary. I don't know what's real and what's not now," said Target shopper, Ashley Walcott.
Target has posted all their official communications right on their website so now you know if the email you received is a fake or not. The Better Business Bureau reports that another tip to identify a scam is to be wary of anyone asking for social security or bank account numbers.
And the Target scammers already have your information if you shopped at a Target store.
"If you were a victim of that theft, they already had your number so they aren't going to ask you for it again," said Utah Better Business Bureau president, Jane Driggs.
A few other tips given were to watch for bad grammar, don't always believe what you see, and to not click the links in emails if you are suspicious or it's "too good to be true."
"Scammers are great at mimicking exactly what a business would normally say and you have to be careful and so just don't click on the link. Go to the Target website and look," Driggs said.
If you are worried you're a victim of the Target data breach, you should always monitor your bank accounts closely and get a free credit report to make sure new accounts aren't fraudulently being opened and consider getting a new credit or debit card if you used it at Target.
