TECHNOLOGY TIPS – NEIMAN MARCUS CUSTOMER DATA HACKED

TECHNOLOGY TIPS – NEIMAN MARCUS CUSTOMER DATA HACKED

If you were someone to fall victim to the Target credit card attacks this past holiday season you should be receiving your new credit cards in the mail soon. Just announced this past Friday though is another hack attack of 1.1 million credit and debit card at Neiman Marcus.

According to the latest reports the information obtained was during the dates of July 16 through October 30 2013. The retailer is still conducting its investigation of the data breach and have found that no birth dates or social security numbers were taken. To date no online shoppers have been impacted. Of interesting note is that even though the hacks had several similarities Target found the breach themselves and Neiman Marcus was alerted by their payment processor. Like Target Neiman is offering all their 2013 customers credit monitoring and identity theft protection.

In a time when the majority of our purchases can be traced by electronically it is advisable to always keep a close watch on your activity whether verifying transactions online or against your monthly statement. When divulging your personal information you have the right to decline giving that information over the phone. You can always call back the provider of your credit to verify they did in fact need your personal information. Be sure to use a cross cut shredder when disposing of personal documents. And my biggest suggestion is to have strong passwords and change them every six months.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO