40 Million Target Customers' Credit Card Info Possibly Stolen

by Patch Staff

The credit and debit card information of millions of customers could be at risk after potential data theft at Target stores across the country, ABC7 reports.

The Secret Service is currently investigating the "massive data breach", as reported by USA Today. 

The breach began on Black Friday, and spanned until Dec. 15, according to the report. It's possible someone could have stolen information stored on the magnetic stripe on the backs of cards. If a pin number was acquired, the person can then use an ATM to withdraw cash from a customer's bank account. The thieves could also use the information to create counterfeit credit cards.

Target is based in Minneapolis, with almost 1,800 stores in the United States and 124 in Canada, according to its website. The data theft does not appear to involve online purchases.