Target CEO promises free credit monitoring, 10% discount after breach

A day after Target confirmed a massive data breach, Chief Executive Gregg Steinhafel is trying to get customers back into stores during the busy pre-Christmas weekend by extending an offer for free credit monitoring and a 10% discount.

Customers are fuming on social media in the aftermath of the disclosure that hackers broke into Target’s systems and gained access to some 40 million customer credit and debit card accounts between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15.

Steinhafel said in a statement online Friday that “the issue has been identified and eliminated” but acknowledged that the problem “has been confusing and disruptive during an already busy holiday season.”

To reassure patrons, Steinhafel said Target will offer free credit monitoring services and plans to be in touch with customers affected by the breach.

Target is also trying to attract back shoppers by offering at 10% discount to consumers who visit U.S. stores this Saturday and Sunday.

Steinhafel also noted shoppers’ difficulties reaching Target via its website and call center -- struggles that have sparked a stream of vitriol on the retailer’s Facebook profile. The CEO blamed “unprecedented call volume” and said the company is “working continuously to build capacity.”

Separately, the chain indicated that it has heard of “very few reports of actual fraud” and said customers “will not be held financially responsible for any credit card or debit card fraud.”

The company also said that shoppers’ PINs, birth dates and Social Security numbers seem to have eluded the hackers.

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