ST. PAUL, MN (December 20, 2013) -- Minnesota credit unions are proactively working with their members to help address their concerns about data privacy resulting from the recent Target data breach. As has been reported, the breach could potentially impact 40 million Target customers who made credit or debit purchases from Nov. 27 to Dec. 15.
Since the Target data breach story broke, Minnesota credit unions have received thousands of member phone calls, emails and in-person contacts. Here are some examples of what credit unions are doing to help their members:
- Star Choice Credit Union (Bloomington, Minn.) – is working closely with their card vendor and Target to determine next steps and implement strategies to mitigate fraud for any compromised member cards. Star Choice will continue to share information with members and is encouraging them to review their account transactions closely on an ongoing basis.
- SPIRE Federal Credit Union (Falcon Heights, Minn.) – has advised members to monitor credit and debit card accounts daily. Members are encouraged to contact SPIRE immediately so steps can be taken to restore funds to affected accounts. SPIRE is also reviewing accounts for suspicious activity and issuing new cards as needed.
- First Alliance Credit Union (Rochester, Minn.) – is contacting each one of their members on the list of card holders impacted by the data breach to let them know what the credit union is going to do and to reassure them that they don't have to worry or be uncertain about what's going to happen with their cards. Members may also close their cards as a precaution if they choose.
“Member privacy and protection are extremely important to Minnesota credit unions,” said Mark D. Cummins, Minnesota Credit Union Network President and CEO. “Minnesotans can continue to count on credit unions as their trusted financial partner as the impact of the data breach continues to unfold.”
The Minnesota Credit Union Network is an organization representing the state’s 134 not-for-profit cooperative credit unions serving more than 1.6 million member-owners in Minnesota.