Up to 40 million accounts possibly impacted by Target data breach

NEW YORK (MyFoxBoston.com) — Up to 40 million card accounts may have been affected by a data breach at Target stores.

In a press release issued Thursday, Target confirmed that millions of shoppers may have been impacted between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15. The data theft included customer names, card numbers, expiration dates, and the three-digit CVV security code.

The retailer said they are working closely with law enforcement and financial institutions and they have "identified and resolved the issue."

According to the Krebs on Security website, investigators believe the breach impacted shoppers at Target's brick-and-mortar stores. There is reportedly no signs that the breach impacted online shoppers.

In a letter to customers, Target recommends those potentially impacted by the breach closely monitor their accounts and their credit reports for fraudulent charges.

Target has 1,797 stores in the U.S. and 124 in Canada.

Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary confirms the agency is investigating, but declined to provide further details.

McAfee Security Expert Robert Siciliano said that it appears the hackers breached the same credit card reading devices you swipe your card in while in the store, developing some sort of virus that reads your data the same way the real machine reads it.

Any shoppers who suspect they have been the victim of unauthorized activity are asked to contact Target at 866-852-8680.

To learn more about how to report fraudulent charges, visit: https://corporate.target.com

Cox Media Group