From the article:<p>"Q: How did the breach occur?<p>A: Target isn't saying how it happened. Industry experts note that companies such as Target spend millions of dollars each year on credit card security, making a theft of this magnitude particularly alarming."<p>The article starts out by stating, "The stolen data includes customer names, credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates and the three-digit security codes located on the backs of cards."<p>I guess, then, that the 'millions' spent budget didn't include basic compliance measures. Next time, Target might as well take out an ad in the NYT with all this info, though....It'd be less effective than what's already happened to them.<p>Idgits.
It bugs me when these guys just offer the advice to go back and check your statement for suspicious activity. When 40 million cards are stolen, it's not as if the thief/thieves are going on a personal buying spree. They obviously intend to sell the cards on the black market.<p>So, their advice to not replace cards is irresponsible and literally helps the thieves to comfirm to potential buyers that the cards are likely still good.<p>And, of course, once your card is exposed you're always at risk of future fraud. Are we all just supposed to be paranoid now (moreso than usual, that is)?