Consumers on alert after Target's credit card breach

40-million credit card numbers stolen

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After the theft of 40-million credit card numbers from Target stores, many shoppers are paying closer attention to their bank accounts and thinking twice before they swipe their card. 

The breach in Target's database occurred between Nov. 27 and Dec 15.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is warning people who shopped at Target during the span of the breach to do three main things.

Bondi suggested consumers monitor their bank accounts for any unauthorized transactions. She said to make sure receipts are kept in a safe place to be cross-referenced with bank statements. She also said consumers should place a fraud alert on their credit report with the three big crediting agencies: Experian, Equifax and Transunion.  

Amanda Walker with Consumer Reports also recommends shoppers should get in the habit of giving their bank statement a check after they've gone shopping. 

"If you're worried, go online and check all your credit card statements," said Walker. "Then call credit card issuers and check on anything you've found and ask them to issue you new credit card numbers."

To contact any of the three credit reporting agencies,
click here: | Equifax | Experian | Transunion |