Free credit monitoring for a year from Target
In response to the recent data breach at Target, they have decided to offer a free year of credit monitoring and identity theft protection to all Target guests who shopped U.S. stores.
It’s easy to sign up:
- Visit creditmonitoring.target.com to request an activation code. You need to enter your name and an email address.
- After submitting your information, Target will email you within 1-5 days with a unique activation code and directions for how to enroll in ProtectMyID (which is a service provided by Experian).
- To enroll for this offer, you need to request an activation code before April 23, 2014 and then register for the offer through ProtectMyID before April 30, 2014.
In addition to a complimentary copy of your credit report, guests who sign up will receive daily credit monitoring, identity theft insurance (except where prohibited by law), and have access to personalized assistance from a “highly trained Fraud Resolution Agent.” Access to the Fraud Resolution Agent will continue even after other benefits of the initial one-year ProtectMyID membership expire. After 12 months, those who register have the option to continue their memberships at their own expense.
I think that this is a great move by Target. (It’s also a great way to keep track of your credit inquiries for your next round of applications!)
Will you be signing up for this?
Does this service provide the actual FICO score instead of FAKO scores like CreditSesame and CreditKarma?
Brian – The service provides a report, which (as far as I know) does not include your credit score…but I could be wrong about that. I haven’t used to service yet so I don’t know for sure.
However, the credit report can be useful to see which banks pull from which services (Experian, Transunion, or Equifax).
Also, it’s just a good way to protect yourself from ID theft.
Just to clarify, this doesn’t actually provide your score, just your report. Still very useful, though. Thanks for the heads up!
Dave – thanks for the catch! I meant to write “inquiries.”
i just signed up. thanks for the info!
I already have an Experian account. Is there a way to sign up for this and stop paying the monthly fees I have with my existing account?
mitch – I don’t know, but definitely worth calling to find out!
I will be looking in to this! I did shop at Target over the holidays while traveling, felt so “lucky” at the time to shop with such options.
I didn’t even realize I was susceptible until got an email from Chase telling me a new card was on it’s way to be because of it. This is such a smart move for Target. Way to seize an opportunity to try to make things right. Good brand management with a real consumer benefit to boot. Makes me want to shop there more versus less.