Targeting Target

In the wake of a massive breach of Target's customer data, the company helpfully sent us the following advice about protecting our personal information:

Never share information with anyone over the phone, email or text, even if they claim to be someone you know or do business with. Instead, ask for a call-back number.

Be wary of emails that ask for money or send you to suspicious websites. Don’t click links within emails you don’t recognize.

Do not use a credit card when shopping at our stores or online, as we are not all that diligent about keeping your personal information safe. I mean, we try, but do you know how MANY of you there are?? Like YOU never messed up before. Hmmmmph.

Of course that last tip did not actually appear in the letter. Although I appreciate Target's concern for my well-being, the company is hardly in a position to be dispensing security advice to consumers. But it feels good to give advice sometimes, particularly if you have failed spectacularly at following it yourself.

So, Target, thanks for the tips. I might just heed that last one, the one you DIDN'T actually give.