Watch CBS News

Target Credit Card Theft Expands To Other Retailers

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- After upping the number of customers affected by its credit card information theft -- from 40 to 70 million -- Target says it's doing everything it can to protect its shoppers through its zero liability policy.

"Zero liability is zero liability, which means that Target is paying for any fraudulent, any possible fraudulent activity on anybody's credit card," Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel said on CNBC.

Starting Monday, Steinhafel says any Target customer can sign up for a free one-year credit monitoring service through the Target website.

Consumers do have to be very careful.

On Monday morning, Attorney General Kathleen Kane warned that scammers are using the logo of Target on websites and emails to try to get consumers to send very personal information.

Kane says she and other state attorney generals have urged target to do everything it can to protect customers.

The warning comes as Neiman Marcus confirmed it, too, had its credit card information breached, and now Reuters reports three other well-known, but still unnamed retailers have been victimized just like Target.

Cyber security expert Sean Henry thinks they all may be linked and originating in eastern Europe.

"If you build a 10-foot firewall, they bring a 12-foot ladder," said Henry.

To play it safe, Target customer Mindy Reed says she's switching from credit cards to old-fashioned American cash.

"Do only in cash," notes Reed. "I think it's just going to be safer for a little while."

RELATED LINKS
Target: Data Breach Caught Up To 70M Customers
More Locals Targeted By Thieves Posing As Workers
More Consumer News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.