Target Customers At Risk After Credit Card Breach

Millions of shoppers's financial information may have been stolen during a massive infiltration of Target's payment card data, the retailer announced Dec. 19.

Target confirmed the data breach through a statement posted to its website, and said data associated with data and credit card accounts of some 40 million people have been impacted.

Customers who made purchases at Target stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15, 2013 who are at risk, according to Target.

A Target store is located on Kennedy Road in Windsor.

According to Target, the company "is working closely with law enforcement and financial institutions, and has identified and resolved the issue."

"Target's first priority is preserving the trust of our guests and we have moved swiftly to address this issue, so guests can shop with confidence," Target Chairman, President and CEO Gregg Steinhafel said Thursday. "We regret any inconvenience this may cause. We take this matter very seriously and are working with law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice."

According to Target, which is headquartered in Minneapolis, the authorities were alerted immediately after the unauthorized access was identified.

It's now time for consumers who may have been affected to take action. Consumers should check their bank statements for fraudulent charges, among other steps to ensure financial security.

CNNMoney suggests consumers do these four things.