In the wake of a massive data breach committed against the Target retail store chain, con artists may be targeting victims of the scam in Missouri and elsewhere.

According to the Missouri Attorney General's office, scammers are calling and emailing consumers and claiming to be from Target or from their bank or credit card company. The scammers then attempt to trick customers into giving them their personal and financial information.  In a written statement, Attorney General Chris Koster says neither Target nor a consumer's financial institution would ask for their personal information over the phone or by email and that any such requests should be refused or ignored. 

"Opportunistic thieves may try to take advantage of those whose personal information has been compromised by the recent data breach," Koster said.  "Consumers should be wary when anyone asks for their personal information via telephone or email, as the person on the other end of the line may be trying to steal the consumer's identity."

The data breach occurred at Target stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15.  Click here for more information.

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