Ohio A-G has tips for Target customers

Ohio Attorney General’s Office news

COLUMBUS — Following the announcement of the recent security breach affecting Target customers, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is offering advice for individuals who may be affected by the breach.

“Security breaches are a cause for concern, but it’s important not to panic,” Attorney General DeWine said. “Just because your information has been compromised does not necessarily mean you will become the victim of identity theft. Nevertheless, it’s important to take proactive steps to identify potential problems and take corrective action as quickly as possible.”

DeWine said those who have been affected by a security breach can take the following steps to protect themselves:

• Check credit card and debit card accounts regularly. Monitor accounts to look for suspicious activity, such as charges a person doesn’t remember making. If any errors are found, immediately notify credit and debit card providers.
• Place an initial fraud alert on one’s credit report. Contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies — Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion — to place an initial fraud alert, which will stay on a credit report for 90 days. The alert is free and will make it more difficult for someone to open credit in a person’s name.
• Consider placing a security freeze on one’s credit report. A security freeze essentially puts a lock on credit so that most third parties can’t access a credit report. This will help protect consumers from unauthorized accounts being opened in their name. In Ohio, security freezes are permanent until a person lifts them. There is a $5 fee per credit reporting agency to place the freeze and to remove it each time a consumer applies for credit. Contact credit reporting agencies to place or to learn more about a security freeze.
• Check one’s credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. Ohioans are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. They can pull all three at once or can stagger pulling reports throughout the year.

Individuals who find evidence of identity theft, such as fraudulent credit card charges, credit reporting errors, or unauthorized accounts, should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Identity Theft Unit by calling 800.282.0515. The Identity Theft Unit helps victims rectify the effects of identity theft.

More information is available at the Ohio Attorney General’s website, www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov, or by calling the above toll-free number.